Sex differences in stress‐induced hyperalgesia and its mechanisms

Abstract Chronic stress induces a variety of physiological and/or psychological abnormalities, including hyperalgesia. Researchers have discovered sex differences in the prevalence of stress‐induced hyperalgesia (SIH) in recent years. Sex differences may be one of the reasons for the heterogeneity of susceptibility to stress‐related diseases. In this review, the potential mechanisms of sex differences in SIH are discussed, such as hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis responses, regulation of sex hormones, and immune system responses.