Teenagers with painful periods more likely to suffer from this health issue later in life
Teenage girls experiencing severe period pain could face a heightened risk of chronic pain later in life, a new study suggests.
Researchers behind the study emphasised that menstrual pain should not be "dismissed or trivialised," asserting it "deserves serious attention" as a public health concern.
It is hoped these findings will "pave the way" for improved understanding and management of menstrual pain and its long-term implications.
For the study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, researchers at the University of Oxford looked at data from 1,157 people included in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), also known as Children of the 90s.
Researchers found that those with severe period pain at 15 had a 76% higher risk of chronic pain by 26 relative to those with no period pain, while those with moderate period pain had a 65% higher risk.
Among teenagers who reported no period pain, 17 per cent went on to develop chronic pain.
Gynaecologist Professor Katy Vincent of the University of Oxford, said: “We’ve known for a long time that period pain can really disrupt young people’s lives, impacting their social development, education and mental health.
“However, we know that most young people don’t seek help for period pain and those who do may be dismissed, belittled or told it is normal.
“This study shows that teenage period pain may also shape future physical health.
“Once established, chronic pain can be difficult to manage and has wide-reaching consequences for the individual, society and the healthcare system.
“The link between adolescent period pain and chronic pain in adulthood is therefore a wake-up call.
“We need to improve menstrual education, reduce stigma, and ensure young people have access to effective support and treatment early on.
“It would be fantastic if 2025/2026 was the year that we really started to take period pain seriously rather than telling teenagers they ‘just need to learn to live with it’.”
Source: The Independent, 31 August 2025