--- title: Does cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy reduce menstrual pain in women with severe PMS? description: Yes. In 24 women with menstrual pain and severe PMS, those who received 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy showed significant improvements in pai url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effectiveness-of-cognitive-behavioral-hypnotherapy-on-pain-in-patients-with-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy reduce menstrual pain in women with severe PMS? Randomised trial, 2022 # Does cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy reduce menstrual pain in women with severe PMS? Yes. In 24 women with menstrual pain and severe PMS, those who received 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy showed significant improvements in pain intensity and quality of life. This is a very small study so results are preliminary. Early or limited evidence 24 women aged 25-40 in Iran with menstrual pain and premenstrual dysphoria ## What they did An RCT with 24 women aged 25-40 in Iran with menstrual pain and premenstrual dysphoria (12 per group). The treatment group received eight 90-minute sessions of cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy. Pain was measured before treatment, after treatment, and in follow-up. ## What they found Cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy significantly improved pain intensity and physical-sensory, sensory-emotional, and cognitive-evaluative aspects of pain. Women also reported improvements in their quality of life including better mental health, social relationships, and environmental health. ## What it means for you This therapy may help menstrual pain by changing how women experience it and think about it, not just by blocking the pain signal. The study is very small (12 per group) and from one location in Iran. The abstract did not provide specific numbers for how much pain improved. 24 women with menstrual pain 12 women in treatment group 8 sessions of 90 minutes each ## About the study Original title Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotherapy on Pain in Patients with Premenstrual Disorder Authors Amin Sorkhi, Marziyeh, Hassanzadeh et al. Journal Avicenna Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Care Year 2022 Study design Randomised trial Participants 24 What was tested Eight 90-minute sessions of cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.32592/ajnmc.31.1.29](https://doi.org/10.32592/ajnmc.31.1.29) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Systematic review, 2012 How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 Do digital tools and apps help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms? Cohort study, 2025 Do pain sensitivity and negative thinking explain how trauma and stress cause PMS or PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗