© Shutterstock

When do periods start? -

People typically start menstruating at age 12 but it's possible to do so as early as eight years of age or as late as 16.

© Shutterstock

How long does a menstrual cycle last? -

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days but can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days and still be considered normal. The period (bleeding phase) lasts between three and seven days.

© Shutterstock

How many women experience pain during menstruation? -

Up to 90% of those who menstruate experience pain during their period. The pain can fluctuate in strength and is often linked with symptoms of depression.

© Shutterstock

What type of pain is experienced? -

Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, occurs in the pelvis or abdomen, typically for up to three days once bleeding has begun.

© Shutterstock

What does the new study suggest? -

There is a new study that was published towards the end of 2024 in the Journal Briefings in Bioinformatics. It suggests that depression might be causing period pain due to specific listed genes.

© Shutterstock

Previous studies -

In previous studies, a correlation has been shown between dysmenorrhea and depression but no causal relationship at the genetic level was established. 

© Shutterstock

How was the experiment conducted? -

This experiment used an approach known as Mendelian randomization. It used genetic data to study the cause-and-effect without needing to test it directly on people.

© Shutterstock

Experiment numbers -

The authors of the experiment collected genetic data from 600,000 Europeans and 8,000 East Asians.

© Shutterstock

Bioinformatics -

Bioinformatics was then used to help them find patterns in the genes and biological pathways that connect depression to menstrual pain.

© Shutterstock

Findings -

The study says it can demonstrate a "significant" causal relationship between depression and dysmenorrhea. Their findings say that the mood disorder increases the odds of menstrual pain by 1.51 times or 51%. 

© Shutterstock

Sleeplessness -

The researchers also found a link between the sleeplessness experienced by some people with depression and dysmenorrhea. However, they did clarify that "no evidence was found to support a causal effect."

© Shutterstock

Skepticism -

At least one scientist who wasn't involved in the study says that the study and paper fell short because a causal relationship was attributed where only a strong genetic connection existed.

© Shutterstock

Mood disorders and pain sensitivity -

People with depression or other mood disorders will often experience pain more intensely. This heightened sensitivity is tied to how pain signals are processed by the brain, thereby amplifying the sensation of discomfort.

© Shutterstock

Depression’s impact on coping with pain -

Additionally, depression can minimize an individual's ability to cope with pain. The interconnectivity between mood disorders and pain can make conditions such as dysmenorrhea challenging to manage. 

© Shutterstock

Causes of primary dysmenorrhea -

Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by elevated levels of prostaglandins, the chemicals that drive uterine contractions during menstruation.

© Shutterstock

Broader health implications -

Menstrual disorders are also associated with other health conditions such as early menopause.

© Shutterstock

Complexities of the research -

The particular randomization method that was used to study the relationship between depression and menstrual pain assumed that no environmental factors influence depression, menstrual pain, or genetics.

© Shutterstock

Potential links between depression and dysmenorrhea -

There may be underlying mechanisms that expose individuals to both depression and dysmenorrhea but the specific pathways connecting these conditions remain unclear due to a lack of detailed and individualized data.

© Shutterstock

Influence of current state -

It was said that another limitation of the study was not accounting for the severity or treatment of depression at an individual level, making it difficult to understand any observed relationships.

© Shutterstock

Reverse relationship between pain and depression -

Experts have highlighted that the relationship might also work in the opposite direction. This means that period pain may precede the onset of depression.

© Shutterstock

Central sensitization and chronic pelvic pain -

There is a phenomenon called central sensitization that happens when the brain becomes overly sensitive to normal stimuli and interprets them as painful. Patients with chronic pelvic pain have been observed to have this issue, which further connects reproductive pain with depression.

© Shutterstock

Endometriosis as a link to depression -

In animals, there is a second cause of dysmenorrhea that has been linked to depression. This particular condition involves the growth of uterine-like tissue outside the uterus resulting in pain and fertility issues.

© Shutterstock

Early menarche and depression risk research -

Research has long shown that experiencing your first period at an early age (menarche) increases the risk of depression later in life.

© Shutterstock

Understanding dysmenorrhea and its causes -

Experiencing dysmenorrhea doesn't always mean you're also depressed. However, if the pain disrupts your daily life it's important to go to a medical professional. They can help discover mood disorders or other secondary causes of dysmenorrhea. 

© Shutterstock

Importance of integrated health care -

Addressing both physical and mental health concerns can ensure you receive more holistic and comprehensive care. With integrated health care, you can get more personalized treatments, improve outcomes, and help reduce stigma about issues that affect women.

© Shutterstock

Treatments -

Some methods known for helping alleviate period pain can also help improve depression symptoms. Things like yoga, exercise, and dietary adjustments will offer physical and mental benefits.

© Shutterstock

Role of medication in managing symptoms -

If lifestyle modifications fail to help your symptoms, it could be a good time to ask your doctor if medication is the next step in your pain-relief journey. 

Sources: (CNN Health) (Clevland Clinic)

See also: Why your period is lasting longer than usual

© Shutterstock