Understanding how menstrual pain can lead to chronic pelvic pain
Official title: Targeting Interindividual Variability in NSAID Responses to Mitigate Chronic Pelvic Pain Risk in Dysmenorrhea
Funded at Endeavor Health Clinical Operations · NIH-11023728 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Endeavor Health Clinical Operations NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Evanston, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $3,077,376 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD116714-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023728 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing dysmenorrhea, particularly those at risk of developing chronic pelvic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience menstrual pain or have already developed chronic pelvic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) and the risk of developing chronic pelvic pain (CPP). It aims to understand how local inflammation in the uterus and changes in the nervous system contribute to painful periods. By examining individual responses to common anti-inflammatory medications, the study seeks to identify ways to prevent the progression of dysmenorrhea into more severe conditions like bladder pain syndrome and endometriosis. The research employs various sensory tests and advanced brain imaging techniques to explore these interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatments for menstrual pain and reduce the risk of developing chronic pelvic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding pain mechanisms and treatment responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
Evanston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hellman, Kevin — Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
- Study coordinator: Hellman, Kevin
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.
-
Exploring allergy-based triggers to prevent UCPPS flare-ups
A short, patient-friendly study will look at whether allergy-related antibodies can help predict and prevent flare-ups in people with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
-
Dual Cromolyn-Cetirizine oral capsule to help men with chronic pelvic pain
A new oral medicine combining cromolyn sodium and cetirizine is being developed to help adults with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain by targeting immune and nerve-related pathways.
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Sacral nerve stimulation for chronic pelvic pain
A study to see if a minimally invasive nerve-stimulation therapy can help reduce chronic pelvic pain and improve quality of life in adult women.
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Why menstrual pain becomes chronic pelvic pain
We will follow young women with menstrual pain, including those with bladder sensitivity, to learn who develops ongoing pelvic pain and which early signs predict it.
-
Sacral Neuromodulation for Chronic Pelvic Pain
This research explores if a treatment called sacral neuromodulation can help women who experience ongoing pelvic pain.
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.