'World-first' study examines period pain in teens

A new study will seek to identify changes in the brain when teenagers experience period pain and whether it is linked to developing chronic pain in later life.

In what is described as a world first, researchers at the University of Oxford will conduct a trial of 11 to 20-year-olds using a range of tests including MRI scans.

Half of the 120 volunteers recruited into the RoADPain, external project will suffer from period pain and half will not.

Dr Katy Vincent, Professor of Gynaecological Pain, said not enough was known about severe period pain despite it being "incredibly common".

"I think it's really important that we take period pain seriously," she said.

"About 30% to 40% of teenagers and young women will have periods that are so painful that they can't go to work, can't go to school, can't do their normal activities.

"If we can reduce the risk of people developing chronic pain in the future, that would be so much easier than trying to treat it once it's developed."

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Source: BBC News, 17 October 2024