Pain Threshold in Dysmenorrhea

Haman, John O.

doi:10.1016/s0002-9378(16)40323-6

Cited by 49 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…Subsequently, several studies have focused on the relationship between the menstrual cycle and pain sensitivity in dysmenorrheic women. However, the results have differed among studies, with some reporting a dysmenorrheal-induced increase in sensitivity in all menstrual phases [15] or during the luteal phase [16], others showing decreased sensitivity during the follicular phase [17], and still others indicating no differences [18]. In light of the prior studies, one may wonder whether the pain threshold at the APs in the present study is influenced by the menstrual cycle.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

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The Alteration of Pain Sensitivity at Disease-Specific Acupuncture Points in Premenstrual Syndrome

et al. 2007

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Acupuncture points (APs) are well known to be small regions of local or referred pain that are more sensitive than surrounding tissue. Based on bibliographical and clinical data, specific conditions are commonly believed to change the pain sensitivity at corresponding APs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of specific APs is associated with the severity of premenstrual syndrome. The 46 participants were female students attending a middle school. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was measured using a structured questionnaire, the menstruation distress questionnaire (MDQ). High PMS (HP) and low PMS (LP) groups were divided based on their MDQ scores. The PPTs at sites in the leg (the APs SP6, GB39, and LR3 and a non-AP 2-cm anterior to SP6) and in the arm (the APs PC6, TE5, and LI4 and a non-AP 2-cm proximal to PC6) were measured using an algometer. The PPT of the HP group at SP6 was significantly lower than that of the LP group (13.50 ± 0.73 vs. 16.30 ± 0.66 kilopascals, P < 0.05), but not at other APs or at non-APs. The findings of our study support the hypothesis that the alteration of pain threshold at specific APs is associated with the severity of corresponding diseases. Further studies are needed to determine whether an observation of pain sensitivity at the APs could be used as an adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of a clinical problem.Key words: acupuncture, threshold of pain, somatosensory stimulation, premenstrual syndrome.According to classic traditional Chinese medicine theory, the functions of the human body are controlled by a vital force or energy called "Qi," which circulates among the organs along channels called "meridians" [1]. Although acupuncture points (APs) located along these meridians are at the core of acupuncture practice, pathophysiological explanations for these concepts remain elusive. APs are not only identified subjectively as tender points, but are also endowed with unique electrical properties, suggesting that they are functional rather than structural entities. Skin surface sites corresponding to APs possess increased electrical conductivity compared to surrounding sites, and "abnormal" values at APs are regarded as indicators of dysfunction in the related meridians and organs. Prior studies have demonstrated correlations between alterations in electrodermal measurements at specific APs and disease states [2,3]. Although considerable efforts have focused on explaining the change in electrical resistance at the corresponding APs under specific conditions, the hyperalgesic responses of the corresponding APs remain unknown.Each acupuncture point communicates with a visceral organ and reflects the conditions of that organ [1]. When the organs are subjected to pathophysiological changes, one or more of the related APs become tender (hypersensitive) or show other signs of abnormality, such as altered color or hardness of the skin [4]. Physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are believed to affect up ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…Haman first reported a reduced pressure threshold at the thumb in dysmenorrheic women [15]. Subsequently, several studies have focused on the relationship between the menstrual cycle and pain sensitivity in dysmenorrheic women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Alteration of Pain Sensitivity at Disease-Specific Acupuncture Points in Premenstrual Syndrome

et al. 2007

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“…As early as 1944, Haman [21] advanced the hypothesis of a general lowering of the sensory threshold in correspondence of menses. This was substantiated by a number of studies that found the pain threshold to be highest in the follicular phase and lowest in the luteal phase [22].…”

Section: Women and Painmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gonadal Hormones, Women and Pain

Aloisi

Fiorenzani

2013

J Siena Acad Sci

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Abstract. The clear presence of sex differences in chronic pain and the number of studies showing the power of gonadal hormones to modify pain-induced behavioral responses appear to have convinced clinicians and researchers. In the present review, the old and new literature is summarized to put together data on pain and its modulation by gonadal hormones, particularly estrogens. Targets of these hormones are discussed.

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“…Este particular fue ya intuido por autores como Haman (20) y Hunter (21), quiénes explicaron que las simples contracciones uterinas en estas mujeres llegan a la conciencia en forma de dolor, mientras que no producen sensación alguna en mujeres normales.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Aspectos subjetivos de la mujer con dismenorrea primaria.

Arroyo

2017

Rev. chil. obstet. ginecol.

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RESUMENEn el presente trabajo estudiamos la dismenorrea primaria, un cuadro bastante aparatoso para el que se han venido postulado numerosas hipótesis, predominando las de índole biológica. No obstante, una serie de autores se han referido a la intervención de factores psicológicos en el cuadro. El objetivo que nos mueve consiste en descubrir cuáles son los componentes subjetivos que favorecen la aparición y/o mantenimiento del dolor en estas mujeres, más allá de las directrices biológicas. Para lograrlo tomamos un grupo de jóvenes (entre 17 y 25 años) que, aunque consultaron por otros problemas, el dolor menstrual era un síntoma importante, y a las que se trató mediante psicoterapia. Las entrevistas realizadas con ellas, aparte de ayudarlas a mejorar, nos permitieron obtener un material verbal que era expresivo del síntoma. Este proceder nos permitió desentrañar los diferentes aspectos subjetivos propios de la alteración, entre ellos destacan: la escasa tolerancia al dolor, la respuesta emocional exagerada y, sobre todo, el rechazo referido a la maduración como mujer y a los desempeños propios de ésta. Estos últimos factores se sostienen en significados personales erróneos y sustentados en los mensajes recibidos por la paciente y aceptados como propios.PALABRAS CLAVE: Dismenorrea. Menstruación. Subjetividad. Ginecología psicosomática. Umbral de dolor.Emociones. ABSTRACTIn this paper we study primary dysmenorrhea, a rather cumbersome disorder for which numerous hypotheses have been postulated, predominantly of biological nature. However, a number of authors have referred to the intervention of psychological factors in these clinical symptoms. The goal that moves us is to find out which subjective components favor the appearance and maintenance of pain in these women, beyond the biological guidelines. To achieve this we take a group of young women (between 17 and 25 years old). Although they consulted for other problems, the menstrual pain was an important symptom, and they were treated with psychotherapy. The interviews realized with them, apart from helping them to get better, allowed us to obtain a verbal material that was expressive of the symptom. This procedure allowed us to unravel the different subjective aspects own of the alteration. Among them are stand out: the low tolerance to pain, the overreacted emotional answer and, above all, the rejection of the development as woman and the assumption of her corresponding role. The last factors mentioned are sustained by those erroneous personal meanings in the patient that were accepted as own.

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Pain Threshold in Dysmenorrhea

Cited by 49 publications

References 5 publications

The Alteration of Pain Sensitivity at Disease-Specific Acupuncture Points in Premenstrual Syndrome

The Alteration of Pain Sensitivity at Disease-Specific Acupuncture Points in Premenstrual Syndrome

Gonadal Hormones, Women and Pain

Aspectos subjetivos de la mujer con dismenorrea primaria.

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