Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) are periods in which a woman has crampy lower abdominal pain, sharp or aching pain that comes and goes, or possibly back pain.
Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM), the most prevalent menstrual cycle-related problem in women of reproductive age, is associated with negative moods. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in the production of central sensitization and contributes to chronic pain conditions. BDNF has also been implicated in stress-related mood disorders. A small study1 screened and genotyped the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) in 99 Taiwanese (Asian 20 30 years old) and 101 age-matched healthy female controls. It found that there was a significantly higher frequency of the Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in the PDM group. The data suggests the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism as a possible regulator of menstrual pain and pain-related emotions in Primary dysmenorrhea.
Related to:
Primary dysmenorrhea, Secondary dysmenorrhea, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)