Understanding menstrual pain and its effects on adolescent girls
Official title: Behavioral and Neural Phenotypes of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Adolescents
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-10624359 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at menstrual pain in girls aged 14-18 to find out what might predict if they will develop long-lasting pain, using tests and brain scans to understand how their bodies handle pain, with the hope of improving treatment options in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | September 26, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $543,812 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD093680-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10624359 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls aged 14-18 who experience menstrual pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 14-18 or those without menstrual pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates primary dysmenorrhea, a type of menstrual pain experienced by adolescent girls aged 14-18. It aims to identify biomarkers and brain characteristics that may predict the development of chronic pain. Participants will undergo various assessments, including pain sensitivity tests and advanced brain imaging techniques, to explore how their pain experiences are processed in the brain. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for those at risk of chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted treatments that prevent chronic pain in adolescent girls.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying pain biomarkers in similar populations, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Payne, Laura a — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Payne, Laura a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Investigating the role of vaginal microbiome in menstrual pain
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.
-
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.
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.