Bounty

Research has discovered that period pain can dramatically alter the brain's structure.

Areas in the brain could be reshaped with some shrinking or others increasing in size, scientists who analysed a group of female sufferers revealed. Research had previously shown that abnormal brain metabolism was triggered by menstrual cramps.

But the new analysis reveals that the alterations are more long lasting as they can occur even between instances of pain. The affected parts of the brain consisted of "grey matter" (GM) - brain tissue made up of nerve cell bodies as opposed to fibres. They are involved in the transmission and control of pain, as well as emotional responses. Some of the changes are thought to inhibit pain while others may make it worse.

The "substantial reorganisation" seen by scientists may also have emotional effects, contributing to anxiety and stress.

Researchers in Taiwan carried out brain scans on 32 patients with the period pain disorder primary dysmenorrhoea (PDM) and the same number of healthy women, and compared both sets of findings. The women were all aged around 24.

Lead scientist Professor Jen-Chuen Hsieh, from the Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, said: "Our results demonstrate that abnormal GM changes were present in PDM patients even in the absence of pain. This shows that not only sustained pain but also cyclic occurring menstrual pain can result in longer-lasting central changes."

Copyright Press Association 2010