Open AccessEcological Momentary Assessment of Non-Menstrual Pelvic Pain: Potential Pathways of Central Sensitization in Adolescents and Young Adults with and without Primary Dysmenorrhea
Author(s) -
Laura C Seidman,
Catherine R Temme,
Lonnie K. Zeltzer,
Andrea J. Rapkin,
Bruce D. Naliboff,
Laura A Payne
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of pain research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 49
ISSN - 1178-7090
DOI - 10.2147/jpr.s283363
Subject(s) - medicine , pelvic pain , central sensitization , menstruation , sensitization , menstrual cycle , ecology , hormone , surgery , immunology , nociception , receptor , biology
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD; menstrual pain without an identified organic cause) has been proposed as a possible risk factor for the development of chronic pelvic pain, but the mechanism through which this process occurs is unknown. One possible mechanism is central sensitization - alterations in the central nervous system that increase responsiveness to pain leading to hypersensitivity. Repeated episodes of pain, such as those experienced over time with PD, may alter how the brain processes pain. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA; collection of data in real time in participants' natural environments) is a novel data collection method that may help elucidate pain occurring during non-menstrual cycle phases.