Male Fibromyalgia Patients Were More Likely to Use Medical Cannabis | Research

The takeaway

In a study of over 3,000 fibromyalgia patients, 48% of males were treated with medical cannabis compared to 35% of females, with male patients also showing higher rates of PTSD.

Fibromyalgia patients, pain management clinicians, medical cannabis prescribers, gender health researchers

48% of male fibromyalgia patients treated with medical cannabis

What the researchers found

Among 3,044 fibromyalgia patients, 48% of males received medical cannabis treatment compared to 34.6% of females. Male patients were diagnosed later (52.7 vs 44.9 years), had more PTSD (14% vs 5.7%), and more sleep apnea (6.7% vs 1.8%). Females had higher obesity rates (16% vs 9.2%).

Why it matters

Fibromyalgia research has focused primarily on women due to the condition's female predominance. Understanding how male patients differ, including their significantly higher rates of medical cannabis use, can inform more tailored treatment approaches.

The numbers in context

3,044 total FM patients, 13.2% male. 48% of males vs 34.6% of females treated with medical cannabis (p<0.001). Male diagnosis age: 52.7 years vs 44.9 for females (p<0.001). PTSD: 14% males vs 5.7% females (p<0.001).

How the study worked

Retrospective cross-sectional study of all fibromyalgia patients in a tertiary hospital electronic medical record database from 2010-2021. Compared 401 male patients against a random cohort of 438 female patients with individual file review.

What this study cannot tell us

Single tertiary center in Israel, where medical cannabis is more accessible than in many countries. Retrospective design cannot determine why males used more medical cannabis. Did not assess cannabis treatment outcomes.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: large tertiary hospital cohort with individual record review, but single center and retrospective design

When this study was published

Published in 2025 using 2010-2021 data

The bigger picture

The higher medical cannabis use among male fibromyalgia patients may reflect gender differences in treatment-seeking, pain management preferences, or PTSD comorbidity. As medical cannabis becomes more accessible, understanding these patterns helps clinicians provide appropriate care.

Questions still open

Is medical cannabis more effective for male fibromyalgia patients, or do they simply prefer it? Does the higher PTSD comorbidity in males drive their cannabis use? Would these gender differences appear in other countries?

Common questions

Why do more male fibromyalgia patients use medical cannabis?

The study found the association but did not determine the reason. It may relate to the higher PTSD rates in males (14% vs 5.7%), differences in pain management preferences, or cultural factors around medical cannabis use.

How common is fibromyalgia in men?

In this study, 13.2% of fibromyalgia patients were male. While fibromyalgia is more common in women, male patients showed distinct clinical profiles including later diagnosis, more PTSD, and higher medical cannabis use.

Read the original research

Regarding the pain of men: characteristics of fibromyalgia in male patients.

Clinical and experimental rheumatology, 43(6), 1049-1053

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Bannon, Lian; Shlezinger, Omer; Berman, Mark; Mangel, Laurence; Ablin, Jacob Nadav; Aloush, Valerie. (2025). Regarding the pain of men: characteristics of fibromyalgia in male patients.. Clinical and experimental rheumatology, 43(6), 1049-1053. https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/s5e2km