---
title: Does pain sensitivity change across the menstrual cycle? | Niyora
description: Ischemic pain sensitivity (pain from blocked blood flow) increases after ovulation, but heat pain does not change with the cycle. The study was very small.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/ischemic-but-not-thermal-pain-sensitivity-varies-across-the-menstrual-cycle-1997/
---

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- Does pain sensitivity change across the menstrual cycle?

Cohort study, 1997

# Does pain sensitivity change across the menstrual cycle?

Ischemic pain sensitivity (pain from blocked blood flow) increases after ovulation, but heat pain does not change with the cycle. The study was very small.

 Early or limited evidence

11 healthy women

## What they did

11 healthy women were tested at three menstrual cycle phases (after menstruation, during ovulation, and in the late cycle). Researchers measured pain responses to heat and to blocked blood flow, and measured hormone levels and tracked physical and emotional symptoms.

## What they found

Women felt less pain from blocked blood flow in the early phase after menstruation, but more pain during ovulation and the late cycle. Heat pain did not vary across the cycle.

## What it means for you

Ischemic pain sensitivity is higher after ovulation, possibly linked to hormone changes. This study is limited by a very small sample size of 11 women.

11

women studied

3

menstrual cycle phases tested

## About the study

Original title Ischemic but not thermal pain sensitivity varies across the menstrual cycle Authors Fillingim RB, Maixner W, Girdler SS et al. Journal Psychosomatic medicine Year 1997 Study design Cohort study Participants 11 What was tested Observation across menstrual cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199709000-00008](https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199709000-00008)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)

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