The association of hormone replacement therapy with experimental pain responses in postmenopausal women.
Considerable experimental research suggests that ovarian hormones can influence pain perception, and recent epidemiologic and clinical research suggests that exogenous hormone use may influence the prevalence and severity of clinical pain among women. However, to date no studies have examined the influence of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on experimental pain responses and recent pain complaints among postmenopausal women. In this study, self-reported recent pain and general health were obtained, and thermal pain responses were assessed in three groups of healthy older adults: (1) women on HRT, (2) women not on HRT (No-HRT), and (3) men. Results indicated no group differences in recent pain complaints or self-reported health, but differences emerged for measures of thermal pain perception. Specifically, HRT women showed lower pain thresholds and tolerances than No-HRT women and men, and the latter two groups did not differ from each other. The potential explanations and limitations of the observed findings are discussed.
Fillingim
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University of Florida College of Dentistry, Public Health Services and Research, 1600 SW Archer Road, Room D8-44A, P.O. Box 100404, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. rfillingim@dental.ufl.edu
Edwards
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RR
D000368:Aged; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*
D004967:Estrogens