Severe menstrual cramps? Here’s what menstrual pain can say about your mental health


December 1, 2024 at 19:09 IST

A study reveals a shocking link between menstrual cramps and mental health

Menstrual pain, often called cramping, is common, and the intensity and duration of pain during the menstrual cycle varies from person to person. However, sometimes these familiar cramps become too much to handle. This severe menstrual pain is called dysmenorrhea. A study published in the journal Briefings in Bioinformatics found a link between depression and severe menstrual cramps, shedding light on the mental health of women who suffer from very severe cramps. It also opens up a new understanding of women’s hormonal and mental health.

Depression can cause severe menstrual pain. (pixels)
Depression can cause severe menstrual pain. (pixels)

READ ALSO: Think mental health is all in your head? This study shows how big a role your body plays

The relationship between depression and menstrual pain

Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. The study showed this and showed how depression can manifest itself in difficult physical conditions, going back to the association of severe menstrual pain with depression. The researchers also noted that the difference between the number of depressions in men and women is higher in the reproductive phase of women. This means that depression is the cause of severe menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea).

Shuhe Liu, lead author of the study, said: “Our results provide preliminary evidence that depression may be a cause rather than a consequence of dysmenorrhea, as we found no evidence that menstrual pain increases the risk of depression.”

READ ALSO: Is depression just a mental illness or the body’s way of saying something?

Depression as a cause

Research has shown that depression is a cause of menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea). Menstrual pain is generally thought to affect mood, but the research focuses on depression as a cause. It also suggests that mental health manifests itself in physical symptoms such as depression causing dysmenorrhea and general physical discomfort.

Depression and dysmenorrhea have a cause and effect relationship. (Pexels)
Depression and dysmenorrhea have a cause and effect relationship. (Pexels)

There is also a biological predisposition to these connections, as researchers have identified certain genes that could explain why depression and menstrual pain are linked. In addition, the researchers stated that sleep acts as a mediator between depression and dysmenorrhea. People with depression often experience insomnia, which can make menstrual cramps worse.

READ ALSO: Regular menstrual cramps or endometriosis pain? Here’s how to tell the difference

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.

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