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...
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...
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.
Pain01:20

Pain

Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Sympathetic skin response in fibromyalgia patients with small fibre pathology.

Clinical neurophysiology practice·2026
Same author

Irritable bowel syndrome is related to small fibre pathology in patients with fibromyalgia.

Clinical and experimental rheumatology·2026
Same author

Building bridges in migraine management: consensus pathways on best practices across primary and specialist care in Italy.

Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology·2026
Same author

Levels of migraine controls following International Headache Society (IHS) recommendations with eptinezumab: Effectiveness and tolerability in a 24-week, prospective multicenter study (the TACHIS study).

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2026
Same author

Neurofilament Light Chain in Fibromyalgia: Correlation With Central and Peripheral Nervous System Dysfunction.

European journal of pain (London, England)·2026
Same author

Abnormal Resting-State EEG delta and alpha rhythms in Huntington's and Alzheimer's Diseases: An exploratory study.

Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis
06:22

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

Published on: September 1, 2019

Pain perception during menstrual cycle.

Marina de Tommaso1

  • 1Neurophysiopathology of Pain Unit, Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences Department, Bari Aldo Moro University, Neurological Building, Policlinico General Hospital, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy. m.detommaso@neurol.uniba.it

Current Pain and Headache Reports
|May 11, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Pain perception fluctuates across the menstrual cycle, influenced by sex hormones. Neurophysiological studies suggest changes in central pain modulation, potentially worsening conditions like migraine premenstrually.

More Related Videos

Herbs-Partitioned Moxibustion on the Navel in a Rat Model of Primary Dysmenorrhea with Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis
05:36

Herbs-Partitioned Moxibustion on the Navel in a Rat Model of Primary Dysmenorrhea with Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis

Published on: October 4, 2024

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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis
06:22

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

Published on: September 1, 2019

Herbs-Partitioned Moxibustion on the Navel in a Rat Model of Primary Dysmenorrhea with Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis
05:36

Herbs-Partitioned Moxibustion on the Navel in a Rat Model of Primary Dysmenorrhea with Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis

Published on: October 4, 2024

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

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Pain Research

Background:

  • Sexual hormones significantly impact brain functions, including pain perception.
  • Previous research on menstrual cycle-related pain perception changes yielded inconsistent results.
  • Chronic pain conditions and animal models have been used to study these effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of the menstrual cycle on pain perception.
  • To explore potential fluctuations in central pain modulation across different cycle phases.
  • To understand the mechanisms underlying cyclic worsening of pain syndromes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of psychophysical and neurophysiological studies.
  • Analysis of pain perception changes in relation to menstrual cycle phases.
  • Examination of central pain modulation mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • General results regarding menstrual-related pain perception fluctuations are uncertain.
  • Neurophysiological studies suggest variations in central pain modulation.
  • A shift towards excitatory over inhibitory pain control may occur premenstrually.

Conclusions:

  • The menstrual cycle is a factor influencing pain perception and neuromodulation.
  • Premenstrual changes in pain modulation may explain cyclic symptom exacerbation, e.g., in migraine.
  • Pain perception is multifactorial, with hormonal influences playing a role.