Sex, Gender, and Orofacial Pain

Dent Clin North Am. 2018 Oct;62(4):665-682. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2018.06.001. Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Abstract

This review examines gender prevalence in orofacial pain to elucidate underlying factors that can explain such differences. This review highlights how gender affects (1) the association of hormonal factors and pain modulation; (2) the genetic aspects influencing pain sensitivity and pain perception; (3) the role of resting blood pressure and pain threshold; and (4) the impact of sociocultural, environmental, and psychological factors on pain.

Keywords: Gender; Orofacial pain; Pain modulation; Pain perception; Pain threshold.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Facial Pain / epidemiology*
  • Facial Pain / etiology
  • Facial Pain / genetics
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases / epidemiology
  • Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases / etiology
  • Headache / epidemiology
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Psychology
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / epidemiology
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / etiology
  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias / epidemiology
  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias / etiology
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / epidemiology
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / etiology