The human body doesn't generate pain randomly; it uses pain as an "emergency signal" to warn of potential damage, protect vital structures, and maintain the species' survival.
Among the most intense forms of pain that humans can experience, two frequently cited examples are injuries to the reproductive organs and pain during childbirth.
Although differing in mechanism and timing, both reflect how evolution has "programmed" the nervous system to respond aggressively to critical biological challenges.
Testicular injury: Acute pain is a warning sign.
According to medical literature, injuries to the testicles can cause severe pain (Illustration: Getty).
According to medical literature, injuries to the testicles can cause severe pain, accompanied by systemic reactions such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or temporary shortness of breath.
This is a form of acute pain that appears suddenly and may radiate from the scrotum to the lower abdomen.
Anatomically, the testicles originate from the abdominal cavity during fetal development before descending into the scrotum. This process creates a strong connection between the nerves controlling the testicles and those in the abdominal region, explaining why pain is not localized but also radiates.
From an evolutionary perspective, the high sensitivity of the testes is seen as a protective mechanism.
This is a crucial organ for reproduction, so the body produces a strong pain response to force the individual to avoid impacts that could cause serious damage.
However, to maintain the optimal temperature for spermatogenesis, the testes are located outside the body cavity and are not protected by bony structures, making them more vulnerable to damage than many other organs.
Childbirth: A prolonged and physiologically complex painful process.
Childbirth pain is a prolonged experience (Illustrative image: Mumsgrapevine).
Childbirth is a particularly complex biological process, simultaneously involving the nervous, endocrine, mechanical, and immune systems. The passage of the fetus through the limited-sized birth canal creates significant pressure on the uterus, cervix, pelvis, and surrounding soft tissues, triggering various pain mechanisms.
Obstetric studies show that the labor time for the first birth usually lasts 8-12 hours, or even longer. Throughout this process, uterine contractions are repeated with increasing intensity, accompanied by the risk of tissue damage, blood loss, and physical exhaustion.
From an evolutionary perspective, this phenomenon is explained by the "obstetric dilemma," the trade-off between the ability to walk upright on two legs and the development of a larger brain in humans.
The pelvic bones cannot expand excessively without affecting mobility, making childbirth more difficult and painful compared to many other animal species.
Unlike acute pain that lasts for a short time, labor pain is a prolonged experience that can continue after delivery due to uterine contraction and the healing of damaged tissues.
There is no “universal measure” for biological pain.
Scientists argue that ranking or making absolute comparisons of pain types is inappropriate. Pain tolerance varies from person to person, while the physiological nature of each type of pain is also completely different.
Some pains serve as immediate warning signs, allowing the body to react quickly and avoid serious injury. Others are linked to complex, prolonged, and energy-intensive biological processes. All are products of evolution, reflecting how the human body adapts to various survival challenges.
Each form of pain has its own purpose, designed to protect life and maintain the survival of the human species.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/goc-nhin-khoa-hoc-ve-nhung-con-dau-du-doi-tren-co-the-nguoi-20251130233519656.htm
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