Comparison of Pain, Physical, and Psychosocial Parameters in Women With and Without Primary Dysmenorrhea

NCT ID: NCT07341685

Last Updated: 2026-01-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 70 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2026-02-15
• Study Completion Date: 2027-02-15

Brief Summary

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition that negatively affects women's physical, psychological, and social well-being. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) has been associated with reduced pain thresholds in various body regions; however, evidence regarding its relationship with joint mobility, respiratory muscle strength, and psychosocial factors remains limited. In addition, the influence of menstrual attitudes, physical activity habits, and depressive symptoms in women with PD has not been sufficiently explored. Therefore, this study aims to compare women with and without primary dysmenorrhea in terms of pain threshold, joint mobility, physical activity level, respiratory muscle strength, menstrual attitudes, and depressive symptoms. Identifying the parameters affected by PD is essential for developing effective management strategies and may contribute to increased awareness and improved clinical approaches for primary dysmenorrhea.

Detailed Description

Dysmenorrhea is a very common gynecological problem among women during the menstrual period and is defined as "painful menstruation." The pain is most commonly experienced in the abdominal and lumbar regions and is typically described as cramping and colicky in nature. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and leg pain may accompany the pain in dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea leads to decreased work productivity, increased tension in social life, and absenteeism from school or work. Dysmenorrhea is classified into two types: primary and secondary.

In women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD), pressure, heat, and electrical pain thresholds in the abdominal, paravertebral, and extremity regions have been shown to decrease during the menstrual phase. However, research on painful pelvic floor regions in women with PD is still in its early stages. There is very limited published data in the literature addressing the optimal management of women with hypermobility and abnormal uterine bleeding. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the relationship between joint mobility and PD. Similarly, no studies have been found examining PD and respiratory muscle strength. On the other hand, positive or negative beliefs related to menstruation and cultural factors may also influence menstrual attitudes. Although a positive relationship between dysmenorrhea and depression is assumed, the evidence remains controversial and limited.

In light of this information, it is of interest to investigate how all these parameters differ in women with PD compared to women without PD. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare women with and without primary dysmenorrhea in terms of pain threshold, joint mobility, physical activity level, respiratory muscle strength, menstrual attitudes, and depressive symptoms. Identifying which parameters are affected in PD is important for clinicians and researchers in order to determine effective management strategies for primary dysmenorrhea. Thus, it is believed that this study will contribute to the literature by increasing awareness on this topic.

Conditions

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Primary Dysmenorrhea Group

Female participants diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea. Pain threshold, joint mobility, physical activity level, respiratory muscle strength, menstrual attitudes, and depressive symptoms are assessed.

Group Type: OTHER

Observational Assessment

Intervention Type: OTHER

This study does not involve any therapeutic intervention. Participants undergo observational, non-invasive assessments including pain threshold measurement, joint mobility evaluation, physical activity level assessment, respiratory muscle strength testing, menstrual attitude questionnaires, and depressive symptom evaluation.

Control Group

Female participants without primary dysmenorrhea. Pain threshold, joint mobility, physical activity level, respiratory muscle strength, menstrual attitudes, and depressive symptoms are assessed.

Group Type: OTHER

Observational Assessment

Intervention Type: OTHER

This study does not involve any therapeutic intervention. Participants undergo observational, non-invasive assessments including pain threshold measurement, joint mobility evaluation, physical activity level assessment, respiratory muscle strength testing, menstrual attitude questionnaires, and depressive symptom evaluation.

Interventions

Observational Assessment

This study does not involve any therapeutic intervention. Participants undergo observational, non-invasive assessments including pain threshold measurement, joint mobility evaluation, physical activity level assessment, respiratory muscle strength testing, menstrual attitude questionnaires, and depressive symptom evaluation.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Be between 18 and 35 years of age
• Have a history of menstrual pain since the first few years after menarche
• Have a menstrual pain intensity of 4 or higher on the VAS in the last 6 months
• Have no pelvic or uterine pathology (e.g., cysts, infections, fibroids)
• Have a regular menstrual cycle
• Be willing to voluntarily participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Having a neurological, orthopedic, rheumatologic, cardiac, or pulmonary disease
• Being pregnant or suspected of pregnancy
• Having given birth
• Having undergone abdominal, pelvic, or spinal surgery within the past year
• Having a malignant disease

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Izmir Democracy University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Betül Taşpınar

Prof.Dr

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Ayşe Sezgi Kızılırmak Karataş, Asst.Prof

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

Büşra Aydın, std.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

Öykü Dündar, std.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

Turna Sürmen, std.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

Nalan Anık, std.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

Kader İliman, std.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

Fadıma Kılıç, std.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

Central Contacts

Betül Taşpınar, Prof.Dr

Role: CONTACT

betul.taspinar@idu.edu.tr

+905066804426

Ferruh Taşpınar, Prof.Dr

Role: CONTACT

ferruh.taspinar@idu.edu.tr

+905426853877

Other Identifiers

Dismenore-35

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id