Changes in nociceptive flexion reflex threshold across the menstrual cycle in healthy women. 2002

Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
Psychophysiology of Pain Laboratory, University Centre for Adaptive Disorders and Headache (UCADH), IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy.

OBJECTIVE We assessed the influence of changes in steroid hormones across the menstrual cycle on the spinal nociceptive reflex. METHODS We studied in 14 healthy women during the follicular and luteal phase the nociceptive flexion reflex (RIII reflex), an objective neurophysiological method that allows exploring possible abnormal functioning of the pain-control system. The basal body temperature (BBT) was used to evaluate the different phases of the ovarian cycle. The menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ) was also applied for monitoring somatic and psychological symptoms during the cycle. RESULTS During the luteal phase, the threshold of the RIII reflex (Tr) and the psychophysical threshold for pain (Tp) were both significantly reduced compared with the follicular phase. Moreover, the reflex threshold in the luteal phase was negatively correlated to the total MDQ score of the recording day. CONCLUSIONS A higher sensitivity to pain stimuli was observed during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which probably results from a reduction in the inhibitory descending control on spinal nociceptive flexion reflex. Complex neuromodulatory interactions of ovarian steroids with other systems of neurotransmission (especially serotonergic) may account for these observations.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008597 Menstrual Cycle The period from onset of one menstrual bleeding (MENSTRUATION) to the next in an ovulating woman or female primate. The menstrual cycle is regulated by endocrine interactions of the HYPOTHALAMUS; the PITUITARY GLAND; the ovaries; and the genital tract. The menstrual cycle is divided by OVULATION into two phases. Based on the endocrine status of the OVARY, there is a FOLLICULAR PHASE and a LUTEAL PHASE. Based on the response in the ENDOMETRIUM, the menstrual cycle is divided into a proliferative and a secretory phase. Endometrial Cycle,Ovarian Cycle,Cycle, Endometrial,Cycle, Menstrual,Cycle, Ovarian,Cycles, Endometrial,Cycles, Menstrual,Cycles, Ovarian,Endometrial Cycles,Menstrual Cycles,Ovarian Cycles
D009619 Nociceptors Peripheral AFFERENT NEURONS which are sensitive to injuries or pain, usually caused by extreme thermal exposures, mechanical forces, or other noxious stimuli. Their cell bodies reside in the DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA. Their peripheral terminals (NERVE ENDINGS) innervate target tissues and transduce noxious stimuli via axons to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Pain Receptors,Receptors, Pain,Nociceptive Neurons,Neuron, Nociceptive,Neurons, Nociceptive,Nociceptive Neuron,Nociceptor,Pain Receptor
D010147 Pain Measurement Scales, questionnaires, tests, and other methods used to assess pain severity and duration in patients or experimental animals to aid in diagnosis, therapy, and physiological studies. Analgesia Tests,Analogue Pain Scale,Formalin Test,McGill Pain Questionnaire,Nociception Tests,Pain Assessment,Pain Intensity,Pain Severity,Tourniquet Pain Test,Visual Analogue Pain Scale,Analog Pain Scale,Assessment, Pain,McGill Pain Scale,Visual Analog Pain Scale,Analgesia Test,Analog Pain Scales,Analogue Pain Scales,Formalin Tests,Intensity, Pain,Measurement, Pain,Nociception Test,Pain Assessments,Pain Intensities,Pain Measurements,Pain Questionnaire, McGill,Pain Scale, Analog,Pain Scale, Analogue,Pain Scale, McGill,Pain Severities,Pain Test, Tourniquet,Questionnaire, McGill Pain,Scale, Analog Pain,Scale, Analogue Pain,Scale, McGill Pain,Severity, Pain,Test, Analgesia,Test, Formalin,Test, Nociception,Test, Tourniquet Pain,Tests, Nociception,Tourniquet Pain Tests
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D012018 Reflex An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D001831 Body Temperature The measure of the level of heat of a human or animal. Organ Temperature,Body Temperatures,Organ Temperatures,Temperature, Body,Temperature, Organ,Temperatures, Body,Temperatures, Organ
D004412 Dysmenorrhea Painful menstruation. Menstruation, Painful,Pain, Menstrual,Dysmenorrheas,Menstrual Pain,Menstrual Pains,Menstruations, Painful,Painful Menstruation,Painful Menstruations,Pains, Menstrual
D004594 Electrophysiology The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D005260 Female Females
D006304 Health Status The level of health of the individual, group, or population as subjectively assessed by the individual or by more objective measures. General Health,General Health Level,General Health Status,Level of Health,Overall Health,Overall Health Status,General Health Levels,Health Level,Health Level, General,Health Levels,Health Status, General,Health Status, Overall,Health, General,Health, Overall,Level, General Health,Levels, General Health,Status, General Health,Status, Health,Status, Overall Health

Related Publications

Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
February 2013, The Clinical journal of pain,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
June 2012, Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
July 2001, Psychophysiology,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
January 1989, Annales francaises d'anesthesie et de reanimation,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
October 1993, Archives of neurology,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
September 2000, Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
February 2021, Journal of oral rehabilitation,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
August 2013, The neuroradiology journal,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
February 2004, Journal of psychosomatic research,
Cristina Tassorelli, and Giorgio Sandrini, and Alberto Proietti Cecchini, and Rossella E Nappi, and Grazia Sances, and Emilia Martignoni
July 2010, Biological research for nursing,
Copied contents to your clipboard!