Nature Medicine study finds pain peaks before age 55

A large-scale study published in ‘Nature Medicine’ reveals that pain prevalence does not increase linearly with age. Instead, researchers found that the most acute increases in self-reported pain occur before the age of 55, suggesting that early adulthood, specifically between ages 20 and 40, is a critical period for intervention and prevention.

Analyzing data from over 6 million people across 118 countries collected between 1990 and 2025, the research highlights a significant gender disparity. Women reported higher levels of pain than men across all 11 anatomical areas studied and at all stages of life. Experts suggest this is a multi-causal phenomenon, potentially driven by conditions such as endometriosis, migraines, and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as sociocultural factors and the cumulative physical and psychological stress of balancing work and caregiving roles.

Potential contributors to the spike in pain before age 55 include physically demanding employment, sleep difficulties, psychological stress, and the cumulative effect of injuries sustained throughout adulthood.