Our lab was very fortunate to host Kate Downey (https://www.katehelendowney.com/cramped), who is making a podcast on menstrual cramps. In her fourth episode, she visited our lab, and we got to talk about the mechanisms we think are responsible for menstrual pain and gave her a full tour of our facilities!
For decades, the prevailing explanation for menstrual cramps has been that prostaglandins cause uterine muscle contractions, which restrict blood flow and lead to pain. However, new research suggests that this explanation may be incomplete. In this episode of Cramped, we talk to Kate about our research, where we are studying the mechanisms underlying dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) using advanced imaging techniques and physiological assessments.
Our findings challenge some long-held assumptions. We discuss how menstrual pain may not be solely due to uterine contractions and reduced blood flow, but could also involve the nervous system, abdominal muscle activity, and broader pain processing mechanisms in the body.
Kate Downey also explores why some individuals do not respond to common treatments like NSAIDs, the potential role of the vaginal microbiome (with Dr. Chen Chen), the role of the Brain (Dr. Laura Payne) and innovative approaches to pain management suggested by Dr. Frank Tu—including therapies that extend beyond conventional medications.
This episode provides a deeper look into the complexities of menstrual pain, the gaps in existing research, and the ongoing efforts to develop more effective treatments. If you have ever wondered why period pain varies so widely among individuals or why it remains an under-researched topic in medicine, this discussion offers valuable insights into the science behind menstrual health.
This episode is now available on apple podcast
And Amazon:
For more information about the series and other ways to listen to the podcast see here:
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