Case-control study, 2021
Does period pain only affect you during your period?
No. Women with dysmenorrhea had worse balance and coordination problems both during menstruation and on days when they felt well, suggesting it affects them continuously.
What they did
Compared women with and without dysmenorrhea on balance and ability to do two tasks at once. Tests included standing comfortably, standing while doing a motor task, and standing while doing a cognitive task (counting backward). Measurements were taken on the first day of menstruation and on a day when participants felt well.
What they found
On the first day of menstruation during a motor task, women with dysmenorrhea showed increased postural sway. On feel-good days during a cognitive task, women with dysmenorrhea had higher postural sway than women without dysmenorrhea.
What it means for you
Dysmenorrhea may affect your physical balance and coordination continuously, not just when bleeding. This is a case-control study comparing two groups, so results may not apply to all women. It suggests dysmenorrhea has ongoing effects on postural stability.
3
Number of balance test stages
p < 0.05
Statistically significant threshold
About the study
- Original title
- Primary dysmenorrhea and postural control: Is it a problem only during menstruation?
- Authors
- Keklicek H, Sermenli Aydin N, Can HB et al.
- Journal
- Gait & posture
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.01.019
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2017
Does painful menstruation affect adolescent girls' mood, emotions, sleep, and thinking?
Case-control study, 2003
Do IBS symptoms change across the menstrual cycle and vary by contraceptive use?
Survey study, 2026
Is there a good way to measure menstrual symptoms in teenage girls?
Survey study, 2023
How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms?
Survey study, 2023
Is low vitamin D linked to depression and irregular periods in women with premenstrual syndrome?
Survey study, 2022
How common is PMS in university students and what helps them cope with symptoms?