According to a study by Leeds Metropolitan University, stereotypical gender attitudes account for differences in pain expression between the sexes.
Pain scientist Dr Osama Tashani recruited more than 200 British and Libyan student volunteers who underwent experimental pain tests.
"Global research indicates a growing body of evidence that ethnicity influences response to experimentally induced pain. Gender also has an impact to this with women displaying greater sensitivity, Tashani said.
"Traditionally high levels of stoicism are associated with men and high levels of sensitivity associated with women. Some ethnic groups are described as more stoic, while others are viewed as more free in expressing their pain behaviour," he said in a statement.
The four factors taken into account in the study were individual sensitivity and endurance, stereotypical endurance, individual willingness to report pain and stereotypical sensitivity.
Two types of experimental-pain procedures were carried out on all student volunteers
