BBC
A new study will seek to identify changes in the brain when teenagers experience period pain and whether it is linked to developing chronic pain in later life.
In what is described as a world first, researchers at the University of Oxford will conduct a trial of 11 to 20-year-olds using a range of tests including MRI scans.
Half of the 120 volunteers recruited into the RoADPain project will suffer from period pain and half will not.
Dr. Katy Vincent, Professor of Gynaecological Pain, said not enough was known about severe period pain despite it being “incredibly common.”
Chronic Pain
“I think it’s really important that we take period pain seriously,” she said.
“About 30% to 40% of teenagers and young women will have periods that are so painful that they can’t go to work, can’t go to school, can’t do their normal activities.”
“If we can reduce the risk of people developing chronic pain in the future, that would be so much easier than trying to treat it once it’s developed.”
Dr. Vincent noted that chronic pain, which lasts longer than three months, affects about 30% of the UK population, resulting in significant financial costs for individuals, society, and the NHS.
Chronic pain is much more likely to occur in women than in men, but the reasons behind its development remain unclear. Dr. Vincent pointed out that rates of chronic pain tend to increase during the teenage years, coinciding with the onset of menstruation.
Eliza started experiencing painful periods in Year 11 at secondary school.
Although her teachers were supportive, the 17-year-old needed to take days off when the pain became overwhelming.
“It does prevent me from daily activities… it’s quite painful and I just want to be in bed all day,” she said.
Now at college, Eliza reports that the pain has worsened, sometimes lasting up to a week, with painkillers proving ineffective.
“It feels like a wet towel being wrung in your stomach, with pain shooting down my legs and discomfort in my back, leading to an overall ache,” she explained.
She noted that the pain occasionally affects her sleep, increases her emotional sensitivity, and leaves her feeling isolated.
As part of the trial, the team will conduct a series of tests on volunteers who have had their period for one year, three years, or five years to determine when significant changes in the brain are most likely to occur.
The participants will be tested during their periods and 10 to 14 days afterward.
Post-doctoral researcher Dr. Lydia Coxon emphasized the importance of understanding the biological and neurological aspects of this pain.
“It’s crucial to identify when these changes occur, as it may inform the timing for effective clinical interventions,” she remarked.
Dr. Coxon expressed a desire to shift the narrative surrounding period pain, stating that not all experiences with menstrual pain are normal. “Some people endure period pain that significantly impacts their lives, and simply telling them to cope with it is not a viable solution,” she commented.