Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Menses Phase01:18

Menses Phase

The uterine cycle begins with the menstrual phase, which is considered day one of the cycle and typically lasts about five days. This phase is characterized by the degeneration and shedding of the stratum functionalis, the functional layer of the endometrium.
When fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum deteriorates, causing a significant drop in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This hormonal decrease triggers the release of prostaglandins, which cause the uterine...
The Menstrual Cycle01:19

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a recurrent sequence of changes in the uterine endometrium, specifically its functional layer, the stratum functionalis. This cycle prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy. This cycle typically spans 21–35 days, averaging 28 days, and aligns with the ovarian cycle, regulated by fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a uterine...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System01:24

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
Secretory Phase01:19

Secretory Phase

The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, spanning from day 14 to 28 in a typical 28-day cycle, is a period of significant physiological changes in the female reproductive system. This phase commences immediately after ovulation and is characterized by the preparation of the endometrium for potential embryo implantation.
Following ovulation, the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure, produces progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the growth and coiling of endometrial...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mapping Acupoint Networks for Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Review-Based Network Analysis of Randomized Trials.

Pain research & management·2026
Same author

Cerebral arteriopathy and its role in persistent post-COVID headache and brain fog: a quantitative study.

European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience·2026
Same author

Blood-brain barrier integrity and brain entropy in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

The journal of headache and pain·2026
Same author

Mapping human glymphatic compartments and putative meningeal border pathways in diseased models.

Brain : a journal of neurology·2026
Same author

Sex differences modulate olfactory bulb volume-function relationships but not olfactory training-induced plasticity.

Brain structure & function·2026
Same author

Distal embolic protection and procedural strategy in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting of very severe carotid stenosis.

Journal of neurointerventional surgery·2026
Same journal

Efficacy and effectiveness of melatonin for the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo and active controlled trials.

Pain·2026
Same journal

Predictive socio-cultural factors of pain intensity, disability, and quality of life in patients with nonspecific musculoskeletal pain: a prospective cohort study.

Pain·2026
Same journal

Reward-induced endogenous pain inhibition scales with action-outcome certainty in humans.

Pain·2026
Same journal

Training alpha to treat pain: dissociable pathways to analgesia.

Pain·2026
Same journal

Neurophysiological and psychophysical mechanisms associated with immersive virtual reality-induced hypoalgesia: a systematic review.

Pain·2026
Same journal

Dissociable peripheral and central mechanisms of monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition on pain- and depression-related behaviors in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

Pain·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity
07:20

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity

Published on: December 21, 2012

Brain morphological changes associated with cyclic menstrual pain.

Cheng-Hao Tu1, David M Niddam, Hsiang-Tai Chao

  • 1Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Computer Science, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Pain
|August 14, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) involves central nervous system changes. Gray matter alterations in PDM patients suggest impaired pain inhibition and increased pain facilitation, even without current pain.

More Related Videos

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity
07:20

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity

Published on: December 21, 2012

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gynecology
  • Pain Research

Background:

  • Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is a common gynecological disorder causing significant pain.
  • Chronic nociceptive input in PDM may lead to central nervous system alterations.
  • Previous research suggested orbitofrontal network disinhibition in PDM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gray matter (GM) volume differences in PDM patients compared to controls.
  • To test the hypothesis of disinhibited orbitofrontal networks in PDM.
  • To correlate GM changes with pain severity in PDM.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis.
  • Compared GM volume in 32 PDM patients and 32 age/menstrual cycle-matched healthy controls.
  • Focused on peri-ovulatory phase controls for menstrual cycle matching.

Main Results:

  • Abnormal GM decreases observed in pain processing and sensory regulation areas.
  • GM increases noted in pain modulation and endocrine regulation regions.
  • GM changes in top-down pain modulation and negative affect areas correlated with PDM pain severity.

Conclusions:

  • PDM patients exhibit abnormal GM volume changes, even in pain-free states.
  • These structural changes may indicate impaired pain inhibition and increased pain facilitation.
  • Findings suggest long-lasting central nervous system reorganization in cyclic pain conditions like PDM.