Finally, a study sheds light on this age-old question, and it turns out the answer might surprise you. The results point to a condition that both men and women agree is excruciatingly painful—kidney stones.
Many moms who have gone through labor multiple times say that the pain of kidney stones is on another level entirely. Likewise, some men who’ve experienced this condition compare it to much more than just the pain of a groin injury, describing it as far worse.
A study by researchers Saiful Miah, Charlotte Gunner, Lucy Clayton, Suresh Venugopal, Nigel R. Boucher, and Bo Parys backs up this claim.
The study noted: “Thirty-six male and 23 female patients fully completed the questionnaire with age, stone size, and numerical pain rating score recorded.”
Additionally, they observed: “There were no statistically significant differences in these parameters between male and female patients.”
With such definitive data, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
But what do experienced medical professionals have to say about this topic? Let’s hear from them.
He shared: “I don’t know that I ever see anyone on a regular basis in the ER who has more pain than a person who’s there with a kidney stone,”
He elaborated further: “You can tell,” and “You walk in the room, they’re writhing […] It’s just incredible pain.”
If you suspect you’re suffering from a kidney stone, experts from the Mayo Clinic suggest a few steps to help manage the situation.
They recommend drinking plenty of water, using over-the-counter pain relievers, or seeking medical advice for therapy to assist in passing the stone.
For larger stones that cause severe discomfort, surgery is often required to remove them and provide relief.