For centuries, period pain has been dismissed as a monthly nuisance, a "normal" part of life that people who menstruate are expected to endure. But what if it’s actually an early warning sign of something bigger?
A groundbreaking study from the University of Oxford is asking an urgent question: does period pain in adolescence increase the risk of developing chronic pain later in life? If the answer is yes, it could change the way we think about menstrual health forever — and finally force the world to take period pain seriously.
What is the study investigating?
Led by Dr. Katy Vincent and her team at the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, this is the first study of its kind to explore the long-term effects of period pain on the body’s pain processing systems.
The researchers are aiming to answer three key questions:
-
Does experiencing period pain as a teenager increase the risk of developing chronic pain in adulthood?
-
Are there differences in how pain is processed between those who have period pain and those who don’t?
-
Do certain childhood factors increase the risk of developing painful periods in the first place?
With chronic pain affecting 30% of adults worldwide — and women making up the majority of those cases — this study is about much more than just menstrual health. It’s about finding ways to prevent lifelong pain before it starts.
Dr. Vincent puts it plainly: "If we can reduce the risk of people developing chronic pain in the future, that would be so much easier than trying to treat it once it’s developed."
How is the research being conducted?
To get a full picture of how period pain might be linked to chronic pain, the researchers are using a mix of brain imaging, physical assessments, and long-term health data.
Who’s taking part?
The study is recruiting 120 volunteers aged 11 to 20, split into two groups:
-
Those who experience period pain.
-
Those who don’t.
By comparing these groups, the researchers hope to understand how pain sensitivity and processing differ in those with period pain — and whether those differences increase the risk of developing chronic pain later.
What’s being tested?
To dig into what’s really happening inside the body, the team is using:
-
MRI brain scans – To see whether period pain changes the way the brain processes pain signals.
-
Sensitivity tests – Measuring reactions to heat, cold, pin-prick pain, and bladder filling to assess differences in pain thresholds.
-
Questionnaires – Gathering psychological and lifestyle data that could play a role in long-term pain development.
Looking at the past to predict the future
Alongside studying live participants, the researchers will also analyse data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). This huge research project has followed children born in the early 1990s, tracking their health over decades.
By combining new research with this long-term data, the study could uncover patterns that have been overlooked for years.
Why this study could change everything
For too long, period pain has been treated as a minor inconvenience. This study is proving that ignoring it could have serious long-term consequences.
1. It challenges the idea that period pain is “normal”
If period pain is linked to chronic pain, it’s not just a temporary issue—it’s a medical warning sign. That means doctors need to start taking it seriously instead of brushing it off as “just part of life.”
2. It could lead to early intervention and prevention
If researchers find that period pain is an early risk factor for chronic pain, it could pave the way for new strategies to prevent long-term pain conditions before they develop.
Imagine if young people experiencing period pain could get targeted treatments to protect their pain processing systems—before chronic pain takes hold.
3. It could revolutionise how we treat menstrual pain
Right now, the most common medical responses to period pain are:
-
Take painkillers.
-
Go on hormonal birth control.
But if this research helps us understand why period pain happens and how it affects the body long-term, it could lead to new treatment options—from advanced pain management therapies to natural, plant-based solutions like Hey Sister!, which helps reduce inflammation and support gut health.
What this means for you
This study is still in its early stages, but one thing is already clear: period pain deserves more attention, more research, and more solutions.
What can you do now?
If you experience period pain, don’t wait for science to catch up—take action now to support your body.
-
Track your symptoms – Keep a journal of your pain levels, cycle patterns, and triggers.
-
Support your gut health – A balanced microbiome can help regulate inflammation and pain sensitivity.
-
Try natural anti-inflammatories – Plant-based solutions like Hey Sister! can help reduce period pain without medication.
-
Advocate for better care – If your doctor dismisses your pain, push for answers. You deserve to be heard.
The bottom line
This study could change everything we know about period pain. If it confirms that menstrual pain in adolescence increases the risk of chronic pain in adulthood, it will prove what many have suspected all along: period pain isn’t just a monthly inconvenience — it’s a major health issue.
And if that’s the case, the way we treat menstrual health needs to change.
Because no one should have to suffer in silence.
What’s next?
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this study as it develops. In the meantime, check out our guide on how to manage period pain naturally — because you deserve relief now, not years from now.
References
- Oxford researchers launch world’s first study on period pain in teens: Oxford Student
- Understanding the role of adolescent dysmenorrhoea as a risk factor for chronic pain: Medical Research Foundation
- World-first study examines period pain in teens: PSL Hub
- Dr. Katy Vincent discusses her research into pain in women: Oxford Health BRC
- Understanding the long-term effects of period pain: Medical Research Foundation
