Second to fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) and gender differences in pain perception

Abstract

Sexually dimorphic index 2D:4D is believed to reflect prenatal effect of testosterone and estrogens. We found no significant sex differences in the thermal pain and no correlation between withdrawal latency from the heat stimulus and 2D:4D.

During CPT women experienced more intensive pain than men and 2D:4D correlated positively with pain intensity. Sexually dimorphic index 2D:4D is probably more associated with tonic than with phasic pain.

Keywords

• Gender differences
• sexual dimorphism
• digit length ratio