Brain Structural and Functional Connectivity Changes in the Period of Dysmenorrhea: a Prospective fMRI Study

Launched by WOMEN'S HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY · Dec 19, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how the brain changes in structure and function in women who experience dysmenorrhea, which is severe menstrual pain. The researchers want to understand how these changes relate to the pain women feel during their menstrual cycles. This study is observational, meaning that participants will be monitored without any treatment being provided.

To be eligible for this study, women must be right-handed, have regular menstrual cycles, and have a history of menstrual pain lasting more than six months. They should also not be taking any medications for pain relief in the month leading up to the study and need to have significant pain levels during their periods. Participants will undergo brain scans (using MRI) to help researchers gather information on how dysmenorrhea affects the brain. It's important to note that women with certain medical conditions or those who have had recent treatments affecting their hormonal balance may not qualify for the study.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Right-handedness, as confirmed by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
• • A regular menstrual cycle of approximately 21 to 35 days
• • A history of menstrual pain longer than 6 months
• • Not taking any medication or using other methods to treat dysmenorrhea in the past month
• • Score of \>= 40mm on the VAS (visual analogue scale) in recent three menstrual cycles
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any psychiatric or neurological disorders, particularly premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• • Using oral contraceptives, hormonal supplements, or any central-acting medication (eg, opioid, antiepileptics) within 6 months before the study
• • Having a metal or pacemaker implant, claustrophobia, or any contraindications to MR
• • Head injury with loss of consciousness