Materiały źródłowe

• #1 The prevalence and risk factors of dysmenorrhea – PubMed

  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24284871/

  Dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual complaint with a major impact on women’s quality of life, work productivity, and health-care utilization. […] A comprehensive review was performed on longitudinal or case-control or cross-sectional studies with large community-based samples to accurately determine the prevalence and/or incidence and risk factors of dysmenorrhea. […] The prevalence of dysmenorrhea varies between 16% and 91% in women of reproductive age, with severe pain in 2%-29% of the women studied. […] Women’s age, parity, and use of oral contraceptives were inversely associated with dysmenorrhea, and high stress increased the risk of dysmenorrhea. […] Family history of dysmenorrhea strongly increased its risk, with odds ratios between 3.8 and 20.7. […] Dysmenorrhea is a significant symptom for a large proportion of women of reproductive age; however, severe pain limiting daily activities is less common. […] This review confirms that dysmenorrhea improves with increased age, parity, and use of oral contraceptives and is positively associated with stress and family history of dysmenorrhea.

• #2 Dysmenorrhea: Epidemiology, Causes and Current State of the Art for Treatment

  https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/50/12/10.31083/j.ceog5012274/htm

  Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological disorder among adolescent and young women and is a leading cause of recurrent short-term missing from school or work. […] Dysmenorrhea can have negative effects on social relationships, academic and work performance, psychological well-being: it is responsible for limitations in daily activities, sleep disturbances, difficulty in concentration, loss of self-confidence, and social withdrawal; however, most adolescent and young women do not seek medical attention, resorting to self-medication with suboptimal management of this disease. […] According to the different definitions used, the rates and impact of dysmenorrhea can vary significantly. […] A systematic review conducted in 1996 on the prevalence of chronic pelvic pain, which summarized community and hospital surveys conducted in developed countries, estimated a prevalence ranging from 45 to 95 percent.

• #3 Dysmenorrhea – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysmenorrhea

  Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological problems, regardless of age or race. It is one of the most frequently identified causes of pelvic pain in those who menstruate. Dysmenorrhea is estimated to affect between 50% and 90% of female adolescents and women of reproductive age. […] Another report states that estimates can vary between 16% and 91% of surveyed individuals, with severe pain observed in 2% to 29% of menstruating individuals. […] Reports of dysmenorrhea are greatest among individuals in their late teens and 20s, with reports usually declining with age. The prevalence in adolescent females has been reported to be 67.2% by one study and 90% by another. […] It has been stated that there is no significant difference in prevalence or incidence between races, although one study of Hispanic adolescent females indicated an elevated prevalence and impact in this group.

• #4 Dysmenorrhoea (Period Pain) | Doctor

  https://patient.info/doctor/dysmenorrhoea

  Dysmenorrhoea is common. Prevalence rates vary widely and range from 17-91% in women of reproductive age, with severe pain reported in 2-29% of women. […] Longer duration of menses, early menarche and smoking are all risk factors associated with dysmenorrhoea. […] A weight which is over or under the ideal range may increase the risk of dysmenorrhoea; one review found that this decreased for women with obesity who lost weight, but persisted for women who were underweight and then gained weight. However a 2022 systematic review said that more research was needed to clarify the increased risk, if any, relating to obesity. […] Childbirth may reduce dysmenorrhoea, with the most significant reduction occurring after the first birth and the severity of primary dysmenorrhoea may reduce with age.

• #5 Dysmenorrhea: Epidemiology, Causes and Current State of the Art for Treatment

  https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/50/12/10.31083/j.ceog5012274/htm

  The World Health Organization assessed the worldwide prevalence of dysmenorrhea in 124,259 nonpregnant women with or without endometriosis reporting a prevalence ranging from 8.8% in hospitalized women (aged 19–41 years) to 94% in girls aged 10–20 years. […] In the United States, 15% of adolescent girls have report severe dysmenorrhea with prevalence rate estimates for absenteeism ranging from 20% to 30%. […] Thus, the prevalence of dysmenorrhea reported ranges from 16% to 91% in women of reproductive age, with severe pain being reported in 2% to 29% of women. […] An additional longitudinal study on a cohort of Swedish women reported a prevalence of dysmenorrhea of 90% at age 19 and 67% at age 24, with 10% of 24-year-olds reporting pain that interfered with daily functions. […] Variables contributing to differences in prevalence rates include demographics, symptom severity, ethnic, sociocultural, or biological factors in the populations studied. […] Dysmenorrhea affects up to 80% of reproductive-age women, often causing significant pain that can deeply impact social and occupational roles. […] Many girls accept dysmenorrhea as a normal part of menstruation and believe it cannot be alleviated.

• #6 Prevalence of menstrual pain in young women: what is dysmenorrhea?

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3392715/

  Menstrual pain was reported by 84.1% of women, with 43.1% reporting that pain occurred during every period, and 41% reporting that pain occurred during some periods. […] The prevalence of dysmenorrhea is 84.1% when considering only menstrual pain, 55.2% when considering the association between menstrual pain and need for medication, 31.9% when considering the association between menstrual pain and absenteeism, and 25.3% when considering the association between menstrual pain, need for medication, and absenteeism (P 0.0001). […] Menstrual pain influenced quality of life and decreased school performance in 164/343 (47.8%) and social functioning in 153/343 (44.6%) women with menstrual pain. Overall, 130/343 (37.9%) women with menstrual pain reported a certain degree of absenteeism during the last menstrual flow.

• #7 Epidemiology of Dysmenorrhea among University Students in Egypt

  https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijwhw/international-journal-of-womens-health-and-wellness-ijwhw-4-073.php?jid=ijwhw

  Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynaecological symptom among young women. It results in negative physical and psychological consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of dysmenorrhea and detect the sources of knowledge about menstrual disorders among female students in Beni-Suef University, Egypt. […] Of the interviewed students, 92.9% experienced dysmenorrhea during 2017. […] Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among university students in Beni-Suef. Further research should focus on the adaptive techniques used by the students to mitigate the negative impacts of dysmenorrhea. […] Understanding the epidemiology of dysmenorrhea among university students in Beni-Suef may help in designing awareness programs tailored to suit the social and cultural criteria of the community and help students get over the negative health consequences of dysmenorrhea.

• #8 Epidemiology of Dysmenorrhea among University Students in Egypt

  https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijwhw/international-journal-of-womens-health-and-wellness-ijwhw-4-073.php?jid=ijwhw

  Dysmenorrhea was prevalent in 1773 (92.9%) of study population. […] In conclusion, occurrence of dysmenorrhea among university students in Beni-Suef was very high. Family and friends were the main sources of knowledge. Further research should focus on investigating the coping strategies of the students to manage their dysmenorrhea and designing educational programs that allow physicians and/or nurses to discuss the menstrual problems with the university students or young females.

• #9 Prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhoea, and management options reported by young Australian women

  https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2016/november/prevalence-and-severity-of-dysmenorrhoea-and-manag

  Dysmenorrhoea is highly prevalent among these women, with most indicating moderate to severe pain and a significant adverse impact on daily activities. […] The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 88% (n = 247, mean age 21.5 years, SD 2.6). […] Dysmenorrhoea was reported by 88% (n = 207/236) of respondents who completed the follow-up dysmenorrhoea questionnaire and had had a period in the past 12 months. […] At follow-up, 19% reported mild dysmenorrhoea, 49% moderate and 32% severe. […] Dysmenorrhoea significantly affects the quality of life of females in our sample. Approximately 50% of women with severe dysmenorrhoea reported time off, compared with only 2.6% with mild dysmenorrhoea. […] The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea is critically high in this sample of young females, with many indicating that pain had a significant adverse impact on numerous daily activities.

• #10 Menstrual pain in Australian adolescent girls and its impact on regular activities: a population‐based cohort analysis based on Longitudinal Study of Australian Children survey data | The Medical Journal of Australia

  https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2024/220/9/menstrual-pain-australian-adolescent-girls-and-its-impact-regular-activities

  A large proportion of adolescent girls in Australia experience period pain that affects their engagement in regular activities, including school attendance. […] Dysmenorrhea was reported by 227 of 644 respondents at wave 6 (35%; 95% CI, 3037%), 675 of 1341 (50%; 95% CI, 4652%) at wave 7, and 518 of 1115 (46%; 95% CI, 4248%) at wave 8. […] At each wave of data collection, about one-third of respondents reported missing at least one activity type (school or university, work, social, sport or exercise) in the preceding three months because of their periods, and the proportions were larger for those reporting more severe period pain. […] Participants with dysmenorrhea were three to five times as likely to miss school or university as those without dysmenorrhea. […] The early identification and treatment of dysmenorrhea is important for improving quality of life and reducing school and work absenteeism among adolescents.

• #11 The Epidemiology of Menstrual Pain in a South African University Population

  https://historicalpapers-atom.wits.ac.za/items/57194d17-7a89-4929-95a6-782bcb7aab86/full

  Dysmenorrhoea, pain associated with menstruation, is a significant public health concern among young women of reproductive age. […] However, epidemiological data on the prevalence and associated risk factors for dysmenorrhoea in South Africa are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and its associated risk factors in a South African university student and staff population. […] I found a high prevalence [76.7% (95% CI, 75.7-77.6)] of moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhoea among the respondents. […] The study highlights the need for increased awareness, education, and effective interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhoea on women’s lives. […] The findings have important implications for the management of dysmenorrhoea that can improve women’s quality of life and promote better health outcomes.

• #12 Prevalence and effects of menstrual disorders on quality of life of female undergraduate students in Makerere University College of health sciences, a cross sectional survey | BMC Women’s Health | Full Text

  https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-023-02290-7

  Menstrual problems affect as high as 90% of adolescent females and are the main reason for gynecology visits. Dysmenorrhea was the most frequent menstrual disorder for which adolescents and their parents were referred to a physician. […] Of the participants, 97.8% (95%CI: 95.299.0) (269/275) reported some form of menstrual disorder. Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms significantly reduced the QOL scores of participants. […] Menstrual disorders were highly prevalent with negative effects on QOL and class attendance. […] The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in this study was 63.6% (95% CI 57.769.1) with 46.8% reporting dysmenorrhea in all menses and 40.6% reporting it in some menses. […] Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms had statistically significant negative effects on the quality of life of participants in the environmental (45.9 vs 50.3, p0.001, effect size d=0.504), psychological (56.2 vs 60.4, p0.001, effect size d=0.377) and social domains (51.6 vs 59.7, p0.001, effect size d=0.696), and environmental domain (47.7 vs 58.8, p0.001, effect size d=1.212) respectively. […] Dysmenorrhea significantly affected the total score for perceived quality of life of Spanish University students using the EuroQol-5 dimensions 5-levels (EQ-5D-5L).

• #13

  https://journals.lww.com/ephaj/Fulltext/2016/09000/Epidemiology_of_dysmenorrhea_among.3.aspx?generateEpub=Article%7Cephaj:2016:09000:00003%7C%7C

  Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common and important health problems, especially among young girls. It results in absence from school and work. […] The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, severity, and impact of dysmenorrhea in secondary-school students and its association with school absenteeism in Arar city. […] The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 74.4% (n=256) (mild=21.1%, moderate=41.4%, and severe=37.5%). […] Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescent secondary-school girls and is associated with school absenteeism and limitations on social and academic activities.

• #14 Dysmenorrhea – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysmenorrhea

  Another study indicated that dysmenorrhea was present in 36.4% of participants, and was significantly associated with lower age and lower parity. […] A survey in Norway showed that 14 percent of females between the ages of 20 and 35 experience symptoms so severe that they stay home from school or work. Among adolescent girls, dysmenorrhea is the leading cause of recurrent short-term school absence. […] A study from India conducted by Dr RimJhim Kumari found that painful menstruation affected 66.7% of adolescent girls studied, of which 27% sought medical advice from a doctor.

• #15 Primary Dysmenorrhea | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/1999/0801/p489.html

  In an older study, dysmenorrhea accounted for 600 million lost work hours and $2 billion in lost productivity annually. […] The study concluded that several risk factors were associated with more severe episodes of dysmenorrhea: earlier age at menarche, long menstrual periods, smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption. Other studies have not found an association with obesity or alcohol, and these issues remain controversial. […] Data to substantiate the widely held view that menstrual pain diminishes after child-bearing are inconsistent. In one longitudinal study, there was evidence of a decreased prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea after parity, but other studies found no such effect. […] Overall, these epidemiologic studies provide some information for patient education efforts. The potential for decreasing painful periods may provide sufficient motivation for some women to adopt healthy lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation.

• #16 Dysmenorrhea | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0800/p164.html

  Dysmenorrhea is common and usually independent of, rather than secondary to, pelvic pathology. Dysmenorrhea occurs in 50% to 90% of adolescent girls and women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of absenteeism. […] Dysmenorrhea leads to decreased quality of life, absenteeism, and increased risk of depression and anxiety. Up to one-half of patients with dysmenorrhea miss school or work at least once, and 10% to 15% have regular absences during menses. […] A prospective longitudinal study of 400 patients with dysmenorrhea revealed that most have persistent symptoms throughout their years of menstruation, although some improvement in severity may occur, for example, after childbirth. […] A substantial delay from symptom onset to diagnosis is common, ranging from 5.4 years in adolescents to 1.9 years in adults. In secondary dysmenorrhea, the time from onset of symptoms to surgically confirmed diagnosis may range from four to 11 years. […] If symptoms persist despite three to six months of empiric treatment or if at any time the symptom pattern suggests a secondary etiology, a more extensive workup should be performed for secondary causes of dysmenorrhea.

• #17 Associations of adolescent menstrual symptoms with school absences and educational attainment: analysis of a prospective cohort study | medRxiv

  https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.24.24306294v1.full-text

  Menstrual symptoms may negatively impact pupils attendance and educational attainment, but rigorous population-based studies are lacking. […] In a prospective cohort study in England, we assessed associations of self-reported heavy or prolonged bleeding and menstrual pain with school absences and attainment, adjusting for potential confounders. […] Of 2,698 participants, 36% reported heavy or prolonged bleeding and 56% reported menstrual pain. Heavy or prolonged bleeding was associated with missing 17 additional days of school per year (1658%; 95% CI: 943, 2420), and 48% higher odds of being persistently absent (10% absent) (OR 148; 95% CI: 145, 152). Menstrual pain was associated with missing 12 additional days of school per year (1283%; 95% CI: 614, 1995), and 42% higher odds of being persistently absent (OR 142; 95% CI: 139, 146). Heavy or prolonged bleeding was associated with lower scores in compulsory examinations taken at age 16 (57 points; 95% CI: 101, 12, equating to one lower grade), and with 27% lower odds of achieving five standard passes (OR 073; 95% CI: 071, 075). There was less evidence of an association between menstrual pain and examination scores (314 points; 95% CI: – 746, 117), but menstrual pain was associated with 16% lower odds of achieving five standard passes (OR 084; 95 CI: 081, 086). […] Both heavy or prolonged bleeding and menstrual pain were associated with lower school attendance and educational attainment. Greater research and support are needed to enable girls to achieve their full academic potential.

• #18 Epidemiology of menstrual-related absenteeism in 44 low and middle-income countries | medRxiv

  https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.07.24307016v1.full-text

  Menstrual-related absenteeism from work, school, or social activities is an important functional indicator of poor menstrual health that disrupts women and girls daily lives and exacerbates gender inequality. […] The pooled global prevalence of menstrual-related absenteeism was 150% [95% CI: 127-173], with the highest prevalence in South Asia (197% [116-278]) and West and Central Africa (185% [135-235]). […] Menstrual-related absenteeism is prevalent, especially in Asia and Africa, and particularly in adolescent girls. […] Our work identified menstrual-related absenteeism as a common health concern for women and girls in LMICs, particularly in South Asia and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. […] Menstrual-related absenteeism occurs in 15% of 15-49 year-old women and girls globally, and is most common in South Asia and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. […] Our analyses provide new evidence to inform future menstrual health research and public health interventions.

• #19 Dysmenorrhea and Endometriosis in the Adolescent | ACOG

  https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/12/dysmenorrhea-and-endometriosis-in-the-adolescent

  Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, is the most common menstrual symptom among adolescent girls and young women. […] The most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhea is endometriosis. […] Although the true prevalence of endometriosis in adolescents is unknown, at least two thirds of adolescent girls with chronic pelvic pain or dysmenorrhea unresponsive to hormonal therapies and NSAIDs will be diagnosed with endometriosis at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy. […] Endometriosis is the leading cause of secondary dysmenorrhea in adolescents. […] Endometriosis should be considered in patients with persistent, clinically significant dysmenorrhea despite treatment with hormonal agents and NSAIDs, particularly if no other etiology for chronic pelvic pain or secondary dysmenorrhea has been identified based on history, physical examination, and pelvic ultrasonography.

• #20

  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis

  Endometriosis affects roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women and girls globally. […] It is a chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes depression, anxiety, and infertility. […] Access to early diagnosis and effective treatment of endometriosis is important, but is limited in many settings, including in low- and middle-income countries. […] Endometriosis often causes severe pain in the pelvis, especially during menstrual periods. […] Symptoms often improve after menopause, but not always. […] Endometriosis symptoms are variable and broad, meaning that healthcare workers may not easily diagnose it. […] Endometriosis has significant social, public health and economic implications.

• #21 Endometriosis: Epidemiology, Classification, Pathogenesis, Treatment and Genetics (Review of Literature)

  https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/19/10554

  Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease in Poland and in the world. This disease affects from 10–15% of women of reproductive age and 35–50% of women with pelvic pain and/or infertility. However, it should be noted that there are also cases of patients with endometriosis after menopause, and it also happens in adolescent women. […] Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of active foci of the endometrium (glandular cells and stroma) or endometrial tissue (endometrioides; Gr. eides-similar) occurring outside its cavity, that is, in the muscular layer of the uterus, other genitals and their surroundings, and even in places distant from the genital organs of the body. […] Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent, gynecological disease; however, due to the accompanying ailments and chronic nature, it is a very important medical, social and economic problem.

• #22 Endometriosis: Epidemiology, Classification, Pathogenesis, Treatment and Genetics (Review of Literature)

  https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/19/10554

  The risk of developing endometriosis is the lowest in black women, the highest in Asian women. Caucasian women have a higher risk of getting sick than black women. […] Endometriosis has a significant negative impact on aspects of social life, family, and sexual, educational and professional life. Pain and the associated dysfunction of the body worsen the quality of life and reduce professional productivity. In cases where there is no clear cause or medication, the disease can be chronic and recurrent. Due to its impact on sexuality and fertility, it can have a negative impact on partner relationships.

• #23 Experiences of dysmenorrhea and its treatment among allistic and autistic menstruators: a thematic analysis | BMC Women’s Health | Full Text

  https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-023-02370-8

  This could indicate, and explain, a greater prevalence of period pain in autistic menstruators. […] The effectiveness of pharmacological therapies is debatable, with some research indicating side-effects reduce quality of life further, while the original symptoms remain unchanged or only minimally changed. […] A systematic review and meta-analysis found that only 11% of adolescents with period pain sought medical treatment, which reflects an earlier study that found menstruators more likely to self-manage their own pain than seek treatment. […] As evidenced, there is a lack of research investigating treatment-seeking behaviours associated with period pain in both allistic and autistic menstruators. […] The study highlights societal and healthcare factors that could be improved to ensure accessibility of support and treatment for menstrual issues.

• #24 Prevalence of menstrual pain in young women: what is dysmenorrhea?

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3392715/

  The association of menstrual pain and the need for medication was reported in 225/408 (55.2%) subjects. The association of menstrual pain and reduction of school and social performance occurred in 164 (40.2%) and 153 (37.5%) subjects, respectively. Menstrual pain was associated with absenteeism in 130 (31.9%) women. Menstrual pain associated with the need for medication and absenteeism was present in 103 (25.3%) women. […] In this survey-based study, the total prevalence of menstrual pain experience was very high with 84.1% of participants reporting pain at some point. Some 43.1% of participants reported having painful menstruation in every menstrual period, and 41% reported pain in some periods. […] Approximately 55% of the women in the current study reported menstrual pain and a need for medication, with poor social functioning or absenteeism (features of not functioning normally) as a result of menstrual pain ranging from 32% to 40%. When evaluating the most complete picture of dysmenorrhea characterized by menstrual pain, absenteeism, and a need for medication, prevalence is about 25%. How dysmenorrhea is defined will have an impact on figures regarding its prevalence.

• #25 RETRACTED ARTICLE: A one-year observational cohort study of menstrual cramps and ovulation in healthy, normally ovulating women | Scientific Reports

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-08658-3

  Menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea) are highly prevalent, affecting over 60% of adult women in Canada and between 17 and 80% of premenopausal women worldwide. […] Despite this, the pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea is not yet completely understood. […] In current literature, it is generally asserted that cramps only occur in ovulatory cycles. […] There remains, however, a lack of primary data that documents both cramps and ovulation in support of this hypothesis. […] Our primary objective was to prospectively investigate the relationship between cramps and ovulation in luteal phase length-documented cycles in women with known variability in ovulatory characteristics. […] These prospective observational data for 13.6±2.8 cycles/woman in 53 healthy, regularly cycling and screened-to-be-normally ovulatory women documented cramp characteristics were similar between ovulatory and anovulatory cycles.

• #26 RETRACTED ARTICLE: A one-year observational cohort study of menstrual cramps and ovulation in healthy, normally ovulating women | Scientific Reports

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-08658-3

  In contrast to the current hypothesis that cycles without normal ovulation lack cramps, in within-woman analysis there was no difference in Cramp Scores in SOD cycles compared with normally ovulatory cycles. […] However, the SOD cycles showed significantly higher cramp intensity than normally ovulatory ones. […] Our data documented that cramp prevalence, duration, intensity, and Cramp Score were similar in ovulatory and anovulatory cycles within-woman. […] Our study emphasized that cramps occurred regardless of ovulatory status, but further longitudinal menstrual cycle studies are needed.

• #27

  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis

  Due to diagnostic delays, prompt access to available treatment methods, including non-steroidal analgesics (painkillers), oral contraceptives and progestin-based contraceptives is often not achieved. […] WHO is also collaborating with relevant stakeholders to facilitate and support the collection and analysis of country- and region-specific endometriosis prevalence data for decision making.

• #28

  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis

  Addressing endometriosis will empower those affected by it by supporting their human right to the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health, quality of life and overall well-being. […] Enhanced awareness, followed by early diagnosis and management may slow or halt the natural progression of the disease and reduce the long-term burden of its symptoms, including possibly the risk of central nervous system pain sensitization. […] Although several screening tools and tests have been proposed and tested, none are currently validated to accurately identify or predict individuals or populations that are most likely to have the disease. […] In many countries, the general public and most front-line healthcare providers are not aware that distressing and life-altering pelvic pain is not normal, leading to a normalization and stigmatization of symptoms and significant diagnostic delay.

• #29 RoADPain — Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health

  https://www.wrh.ox.ac.uk/research/roadpain

  RoADPain is a research project which aims to understand the role of adolescent dysmenorrhea (period pain) as a risk factor for chronic pain. We will use what we learn about the long term risks of period pain, including how long it takes for experiencing period pain to increase your risk of chronic pain, to make sure period pain is taken seriously and to produce advice and guidance for those with period pain, health professionals, policy makers and educators. […] Pain is considered chronic when it persists for three or more months. It affects up to 30% of people worldwide. Chronic pain is difficult to treat once it has developed. Therefore, understanding which people might be at risk of developing chronic pain and protecting them from it starting, would be a really positive step forward. […] We hope this work will reduce the risk of both adolescent girls and adult women suffering with period pain and other chronic pain conditions. We will use what we learn about the long term risks of period pain, including how long it takes for experiencing period pain to increase your risk of chronic pain, to make sure period pain is taken seriously and to produce advice and guidance for those with period pain, health professionals, policy makers and educators. A better understanding of the risk factors for developing period pain when periods start will let us identify girls at risk of early-onset period pain, thereby ensuring they are educated and empowered to seek treatment early. Any findings about whether or how period pain leads to chronic pain will be developed into novel strategies to prevent chronic pain, including future work with other researchers and drug companies.

• #30 Ending the neglect of menstrual pain in adolescents is the key to improving outcomes for people with persistent pelvic pain | The Medical Journal of Australia

  https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2024/220/9/ending-neglect-menstrual-pain-adolescents-key-improving-outcomes-people

  Although menstruation is a normal physiological event, it causes significant problems for many people. Period pain differs considerably between individuals, and concerns are often dismissed or ignored without acknowledging its impact or the possibility of long term risks. […] It has been reported that 90% of adolescents who menstruate experience period pain, and that for 21% this pain is severe. Their quality of life and participation in school, sport, and social activities are all affected. […] Highlighting the high prevalence of dysmenorrhoea is needed to overcome the stigma attached to female pain, indicated by the many adolescents and young adults who report that their period pain is regarded as normal or dismissed by health care providers. […] The study by Cameron and colleagues makes clear that period and pelvic pain must be recognised and evidence-based interventions provided to adolescents with persistent dysmenorrhoea if we are to improve their quality of life as adults. Understanding the trajectories of menstrual health throughout life is critical for developing effective public health interventions for optimising women’s health.

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