University of Arizona study shows promising results in addressing post-operative pain in female mice

A new study out of the University of Arizona has shown promising results in addressing post-operative pain in female mice.

The researchers hope it could translate to better pain management for women after surgery.

The research zeroes in on the hormone prolactin, which promotes breast development and milk production in mammals.

Prolactin’s response to estrogen and stress is known to exacerbate pain. Researchers with University of Arizona found that when prolactin was inhibited in female mice, they had better post-operative pain outcomes.

“Not to actually decrease the stress itself, because that's not what we're doing. We're we're inhibiting the consequences of the stress, the release, the actions of prolactin," study author Frank Porreca said.

Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz studies women’s health at the UA, but was not a part of the study. She welcomed the paper, saying more still needs to be done to properly address pain in female patients, as women tend to experience chronic pain more often than men.

“Whether we're going to see these studies or not is how are we going to get the funding to perform the studies? And so yes, it continues to be an issue and and a challenge for those of us researchers in Women's Health," Herbst-Kralovetz said.

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.