Lockdowns more painful for women, say doctors

LOCKDOWNS affect women’s health more than men’s, a study has found as scientists conclude long-term medical conditions were made worse by domestic duties.

The research suggests lockdown measures had drastically different effects on men and women both living with chronic pain.

The study, presented to the annual meeting of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, found the “extra care and responsibilities” created by the pandemic could explain why women suffer more than men during lockdowns. More than 500 adults from Germany, Austria and Switzerland who live with chronic pain were asked to complete a survey about pain intensity before and after lockdowns in their country.

The results showed women perceived increased pain severity during the first lockdown compared to typical levels felt before restrictions were imposed.

Dr Kordula Lang-Illievich, the lead author from the Medical University of Graz in Austria, said: “Our research suggests that the pandemic may have exacerbated chronic pain problems and some gendered inequalities.

“Although reported pain intensity between men and women was similar before Covid-19, our data clearly show that women experienced a higher aggravation of chronic pain during the first lockdown.

“This is likely to reflect the disproportionate impact of lockdowns on women, especially the extra care-giving responsibilities, rise in domestic violence, and their increased vulnerability to anxiety, depression and acute stressall of which would be expected to impact pain symptoms.”

It is believed about a fifth of the European Union’s adult population is living with chronic pain.