Depression has been identified as a likely cause of painful menstrual periods.

Previous research has shown that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, often experiencing more severe physical symptoms. This trend is particularly evident during reproductive age and impacts the lives of hundreds of millions of people. While the link between mental and reproductive health is not new, this correlation has not been thoroughly studied.

A group of biologists and medical professionals from China and the UK has taken on the task of filling these knowledge gaps. The researchers utilized data from previous genome-wide association studies (Genome-wide association studies, GWAS) among populations in European and Asian countries. They applied Mendelian randomization techniques to analyze genetic variations and identify specific genes associated with the impact of depression on menstrual pain.

The study confirmed a significant causal relationship between depression and painful menstruation. Conversely, the researchers found no evidence that dysmenorrhea increases the likelihood of depression.

It was also revealed that insomnia, which is common among those suffering from depression, serves as a crucial intermediate link between depression and menstrual pain.

“We found that sleep disturbances can exacerbate menstrual pain. Therefore, addressing sleep issues may be essential for improving conditions in both cases. However, further research is needed to understand the complex relationships between these factors,” stated the authors of the study, the article of which was published in the journal Briefings in Bioinformatics.

The findings of the study also emphasized the necessity of a holistic approach to addressing mental health issues and disruptions in the reproductive system.

The presence of mental disorders is often overlooked in the treatment of conditions such as painful menstruation. The researchers hope that their discoveries will influence the situation and encourage physicians to consider the mental health status of women suffering from severe menstrual pain. This will help make the approach to patients more individualized and improve the quality of medical care, the researchers concluded.

Previously, another group of scientists found that women with severe premenstrual syndrome are more likely to commit suicide than those without such issues. Additionally, one of the earlier scientific studies linked an increased risk of painful menstruation to air pollution.