Have you ever wondered what the most agonizing natural pain a human can experience is?
For years, people have debated whether it’s childbirth, a groin injury, or something even worse.
Now, a study has finally tackled this question—and the answer might catch you off guard. The research points to a condition that both men and women agree is sheer agony: kidney stones.
Many mothers who have endured multiple childbirths insist that passing a kidney stone is an entirely different level of suffering. Similarly, men who have experienced it compare the pain to far more than just a kick to the groin—many say it’s significantly worse.
“For those who have experienced both childbirth and kidney stones, the general consensus leans toward kidney stones being the more excruciating ordeal.
A study conducted by researchers Saiful Miah, Charlotte Gunner, Lucy Clayton, Suresh Venugopal, Nigel R. Boucher, and Bo Parys supports this assertion.
The findings stated: ‘Thirty-six male and 23 female participants fully completed the questionnaire, with data recorded on age, stone size, and numerical pain rating scores.’
Furthermore, the study noted: ‘No statistically significant differences were found between male and female patients in these measured factors.'”
Kidney stones are the worst natural pain a human can experienceGetty stock
The findings underscored one key insight: “Among the male patients surveyed, 88.9% reported it was the most intense pain they had ever endured, while for the female patients, this figure stood at 78.2%.”
Given such conclusive statistics, it’s difficult to dispute the results.
But what do seasoned medical experts think about this subject? Let’s hear their perspectives.
The last thing you want to do is spend hours in the ER in agonizing pain with kidney stonesGetty stock
Professor Troy Madsen, a specialist in emergency medicine and surgery at the University of Utah, weighed in on the sheer intensity of this pain during a 2022 episode of the Who Cares About Men’s Health? podcast.
He stated, “I don’t know that I ever see anyone in the ER who experiences more pain than a patient suffering from a kidney stone.”
Expanding on this, he added, “You can tell right away. You walk into the room, and they’re writhing… It’s just unbelievable pain.”
Similarly, a Cedars-Sinai Medical Center blog post, authored by medical professionals, confirmed this harsh reality: “Passing a kidney stone is considered one of the most excruciating physical pains a person can endure.”
“If you think you might have a kidney stone, experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest several ways to manage the condition.
They advise staying well-hydrated, taking over-the-counter pain medications, or consulting a doctor for treatments that can help pass the stone more easily.
In cases where the stones are larger and cause intense pain, surgical removal is often necessary to provide relief.”
