How pelvic organ pain affects muscles and the automatic nervous system in women with painful periods
Official title: The Effect of Vaginal Somatovisceral Pain on Hip Extension Mobility and Strength in Women at Mid-cycle With Dysmenorrhea vs. Controls: A Case-control Study
Run by Azusa Pacific University · NCT07209566 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We will test whether women with painful periods show bigger muscle and automatic nervous system (heart-rate variability) responses to a brief pelvic pain stimulus than women without painful periods.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Azusa Pacific University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Azusa, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | April 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 7, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07209566 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18–36 who are non-pregnant, not using hormonal birth control, have regular 28–35 day cycles, and report either menstrual pain ≥4/10 (cases) or ≤3/10 (controls) are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, recently postpartum, undergoing IVF, have recent abdominal/pelvic surgery, chronic pain or diagnosed pelvic conditions (e.g., endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, IBS), abnormal cycle length, a history of sexual assault, incontinence, or other listed exclusions are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This case-control study will compare women with moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea (≥4/10 menstrual pain) to age-matched controls (≤3/10) using a standardized brief visceral pain stimulus. Participants complete an initial information and instrumentation visit, record daily one-minute HRV measurements via a phone app for 30 days, and then attend a single lab session where baseline HRV, heartbeat counting tasks, and confidence ratings are recorded. In the lab a certified investigator administers a controlled internal pelvic stimulus while musculoskeletal and autonomic responses are measured. The study also measures interoceptive awareness to see if it changes the relationship between visceral pain and musculoskeletal/autonomic responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify measurable links between pelvic-organ pain, muscle function, and autonomic responses that help guide better diagnosis and targeted treatments for painful periods.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked autonomic measures like HRV to visceral pain, but combining internal pelvic provocation with musculoskeletal measures in dysmenorrhea is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Non-pregnant women, not taking hormonal birth control, between the ages of 18 and 36 who report regular menstrual cycles are eligible for the study Exclusion Criteria: Participants will be excluded if they are currently pregnant or, have given birth within the preceding six months, are breastfeeding, or are undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatments. Exclusions also include those who have had abdominal, lumbar, or pelvic surgery within the preceding 12 months, suffer from a chronic pain condition, have an active genitourinary infection, are incontinent of bowel or bladder, or have been diagnosed with prolapse of a pelvic organ, severe labral pathology, femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or other pelvic pathology. Participants reporting a cycle length of less than 28 days or longer than 35 days, those with a history of sexual assault, and those who are anovulatory without hormonal BC or amenorrheic will also be excluded. \-
Where it's running
-
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Megan M Steele, PT, DPT, PhD(c)
- Email: msteele20@apu.edu
- Phone: 520-603-7913
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
High-intensity interval training to reduce menstrual pain and improve menstrual health in women with primary dysmenorrhea
This 12-week program will try supervised online high-intensity interval training plus a menstrual health workshop to see if it reduces menstrual pain and improves quality of life for women aged 18–40 with primary dysmenorrhea.
-
Good pain consultation for endometriosis
This trial will test whether adding a 'good pain consultation' with early biopsychosocial pain education to usual care helps biological women with endometriosis manage pain and improve quality of life.
-
Virtual reality for reducing pain and anxiety in women with menstrual cramps
In women with primary dysmenorrhea, this study tests whether a relaxing virtual reality experience can lower pain and anxiety during a 3-day period.
-
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Dysmenorrhea Symptoms
This pilot study tests whether a targeted OMT session before the next period can reduce pain and other dysmenorrhea symptoms in female university community members.
-
Diaphragm-Pelvic Floor Training for Young Women with Menstrual Pain
A randomized trial tests whether Diaphragm-Pelvic Floor Synergy training can reduce menstrual pain and improve quality of life in university-aged women with primary dysmenorrhea.
-
Nonpharmacologic therapies for menstrual pain in young women with primary dysmenorrhea
This study tests whether vibration therapy, abdominal massage, or myofascial release can help reduce menstrual pain in women aged 18–30 who have primary dysmenorrhea, compared with education alone.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.