A multidimensional appraisal of early menstrual pain experience

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2024-05, Vol.230 (5), p.550.e1-550.e10
• Main Authors: Tu, Frank F., Hellman, Kevin M., Darnell, Sarah E., Harber, Kaela A., Bohnert, Amy M., Singh, Lavisha, Walker, Lynn S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adolescents; dysmenorrhea; menarche; menstruation; observational study; parental correlates; quantitative sensory testing; visceral pain
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.01.017

Symptomatic dysmenorrhea is a global problem, affecting more than 40% of menstruating persons. Cross-sectional studies have implicated psychosocial, biological, and sensory factors in dysmenorrhea but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Only a few prospective longitudinal studies have evaluated such factors in relation to the emergence and course of dysmenorrhea at menarche. This study aimed to describe the initial menstruation experience and to evaluate the association of premenarchal psychosocial and sensory factors with the intensity of dysmenorrhea during the period in the fourth month. This was a prospective cohort study of adolescents who completed premenarchal assessments and postmenarchal daily menstrual diaries for their first (n=149) and fourth month periods (n=114). They were recruited shortly before menarche and completed baseline assessments, including psychosocial questionnaires and experimental pain sensitivity (pressure testing, bladder provocation), and their parents completed related pain questionnaires. The relation between the hypothesized premenarchal factors and month 4 dysmenorrhea intensity was evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests for low (