Study Reveals Chronic Pain Could Be Reduced By Hormones

It may be possible to reduce chronic pain by taking hormones, a recent study has revealed. The hormones oxytocin and chorionic gonadotropin were administered to 9 patients, 7 of which reported a decrease in pain ranging from 30 to 40 percent. This result was equaled by the same percentage reduction in the amount of pain killing medication required by patients, further supporting the new research.  In addition to these improvements patients noticed less intense episodes of pain and a lengthening of time between bouts of pain.

Authors of the study reported that oxytocin, which has a reputation for positively affecting human emotions, and chorionic gonadotropin, used during pregnancy, have the ability to lower pain in child birth.  One of the study authors, Dr. Forest Tennant, a specialist in chronic pain at the Veract Intractable Pain Clinics, West Covina, California, commented on the minimal side effects associated with the treatment, "the benefit that these patients mostly talk about is somewhat subjective but relates to what patients routinely call a 'feeling of well-being,' 'more alive' or [increasing] 'will to live.." Patients have also reported that the hormones are not effective, with another commenting on the emotional effect that Oxytocin had on her mood, although the patient is said to have continued taking the other hormone in the combined treatment.  Tennant has confirmed that further study is needed to assess the possibility of considering hormone treatment for chronic pain going forward.  The research, which was presented at an annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine on March 7, is considered to be in the preliminary phase.  However, subsequent publication in a peer-reviewed journal will take it to the next stage of development.