A STUDY OF PAIN PERCEPTION DURING THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Animal and human research has shown that pain perception changes across the menstrual cycle. This has sometimes been attributed to hormonal variation. The aim of the present study was to examine how perception of pain, induced by cold pressor test in dominant hand, is related to phases of the menstrual cycle. Twenty-five female students were included in the study. The cycle phase during which each woman began her participation was randomized. Pain was induced using the cold pressor test. Pain threshold was determined as the duration of time between the subject's first reported pain and exposure to the painful stimulus. Pain tolerance was determined as the duration of the time until the subject withdrew her hand from the cold water as the pain was too intensive. The results showed that both the mean pain threshold and mean pain tolerance were significantly higher in follicular phase compared with luteal phase. We can conclude from our study that pain perception varies across the menstrual cycle as shown by higher pain threshold and tolerance during follicular phase of menstrual cycle.