Vaginal microbiome and bodily signals linked to menstrual pain phenotypes
Official title: Vaginal Microbiome, Inflammatory Mediators, Metabolome, and Dysmenorrhea Symptom-based Phenotypes
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11333329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $560,132 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110994-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Girls and women aged 14-39 with or without dysmenorrhea who fit the four study groups.
✕Less likely to help
Those who do not have dysmenorrhea or do not meet the inclusion criteria may not directly benefit from the study findings.
What this research studies
Young people experiencing menstrual pain have very different symptom patterns. The study follows participants over time, collecting vaginal swabs, blood samples, and questionnaires to connect microbiome and inflammatory markers with pain types. By focusing on four groups (three pain phenotypes and one pain-free group), it aims to map how biology outside the uterus may influence pain experiences. The researchers will examine how the vaginal microbiome interacts with inflammation and metabolites to shape dysmenorrhea. If the patterns are clear, this could guide more personalized approaches to managing menstrual pain in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to personalized strategies for preventing or alleviating menstrual pain based on an individual’s vaginal microbiome and inflammatory profile.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests a link between vaginal microbiota and inflammation with pelvic health, but this project seeks to connect these factors to specific pain phenotypes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Chen X — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Chen, Chen X
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.
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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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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.
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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.