Millions of women suffer period pain – but now scientists have discovered a surprising potential cause. One recent study suggests that depression could potentially lead to menstrual pain.
The research indicates potential genetic links between the two conditions. And it highlights the necessity of a comprehensive approach to treating mental health and reproductive problems.
Figures show women are twice as likely to experience depression as men, particularly during their reproductive years. The study, published in ‘Briefings in Bioinformatics’, sees researchers from China and the UK proposing that depression may increase the likelihood of someone suffering from menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea).
Shuhe Liu, the lead author of the study and a PhD student at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in China, noted: “Our findings provide preliminary evidence that depression may be a cause, rather than a consequence, of dysmenorrhea as we did not find evidence that period pain increased the risk of depression.
“Our results provide evidence of a link between our neurological systems and the rest of the body. By exploring and understanding these relationships better, we can make a real difference to the millions of people experiencing period pain and mental health issues,” , reports Gloucestershire Live.
Researchers have analysed around 600,000 cases from European populations and 8,000 from East Asian populations, studying genetic variation and identifying specific genes that may mediate the effect of depression on menstrual pain. They also explored whether sleeplessness, often experienced by those with depression, could be a factor in the link between the two conditions.
“We found that increased sleep disturbances could exacerbate menstrual pain. Addressing sleep issues may therefore be crucial in managing both conditions,” said Ms Liu. “However, more research is required to understand the intricate links between these factors.”
The researchers emphasise that their findings highlight the importance of mental health screening for individuals who experience severe menstrual pain.