Investigating the role of vaginal microbiome in menstrual pain
Official title: Vaginal Microbiome, Inflammatory Mediators, Metabolome, and Dysmenorrhea Symptom-based Phenotypes
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11129803 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the vagina might influence menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, in women aged 14-39, to help find better ways to treat those who experience different levels of pain during their periods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $629,557 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110994-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129803 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are racially diverse females aged 14-39 who experience varying levels of menstrual pain or are symptom-free.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 14-39 or those who do not experience dysmenorrhea may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how the vaginal microbiome affects menstrual pain, known as dysmenorrhea, which varies significantly among women. By examining vaginal samples, blood samples, and questionnaire data from diverse female participants aged 14-39, the study aims to identify how different microbiome profiles correlate with varying symptoms of dysmenorrhea. The research focuses on understanding the relationship between the microbiome, inflammatory responses, and hormonal levels to personalize treatment options for menstrual pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatments for women suffering from dysmenorrhea.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the link between microbiome profiles and various health conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Chen Xiao — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Chen, Chen Xiao
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Decoding Dysmenorrhea: Longitudinal Pain Phenotypes in Adolescents and Young Adults
A study on how menstrual pain develops over time in teenagers and young adults, exploring brain and behavior to understand why some have ongoing pain.
-
Gut microbiome and multisensory sensitivity in teen menstrual pain
A study in adolescent girls with moderate-to-severe menstrual pain will explore how gut bacteria relate to their pain and sensitivity to different senses.
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AI-powered, person-centered chatbot to help manage menstrual pain
A patient-friendly AI chatbot called PeriodPal will provide evidence-based, personalized tips to help manage dysmenorrhea and reduce days missed from work or school.
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Vaginal microbiome and bodily signals linked to menstrual pain phenotypes
This research will look at how the vaginal microbiome, inflammatory signals, hormones, and natural metabolites relate to different patterns of menstrual pain in diverse teens and young women.
-
Understanding how menstrual pain can lead to chronic pelvic pain
This study is looking at how painful periods might lead to long-term pelvic pain and how inflammation and nerve changes play a role, so we can find better ways to help women manage their pain and prevent it from getting worse.
-
A home device to treat menstrual pain
This study is testing a handy device called the SoleStim that helps relieve menstrual cramps for people who find that regular pain medications don’t work well for them, so they can feel better and manage their symptoms at home.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.