Survey study, 2002
What does research show about period pain and discomfort?
A review of 33 research papers from 1992-1999 shows that period pain and discomfort are common, often occur together with other symptoms including mood changes, and meaningfully affect women's daily life. Seven categories of treatment approaches were identified.
What they did
Researchers reviewed 33 published studies about menstrual pain and related discomfort published between 1992 and 1999. They organized and synthesized the findings to help nurses understand and treat these conditions.
What they found
The review developed three clinical descriptions of menstrual pain conditions: cyclic pelvic pain (repeating pain tied to the cycle that affects quality of life), perimenstrual discomfort, and perimenstrual negative mood changes. Treatment research was organized into seven categories.
What it means for you
This summarizes what research showed about menstrual pain up to 1999. It demonstrates the problem is significant and affects how women live day to day. The main limits: the review only covered research through 1999 (so it is older), it was designed for nursing practice rather than testing a new treatment, and it does not identify which specific treatments work best.
33
research articles reviewed
1992-1999
time period of reviewed research
7
categories of treatment approaches identified
About the study
- Original title
- Cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort: the scientific basis for practice
- Authors
- Collins Sharp BA, Taylor DL, Thomas KK et al.
- Journal
- Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None - literature review
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/088421702129005272
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2025
Does digital healthcare help manage period pain and PMS?
Case-control study, 2014
How common is severe period pain and what causes it?
Systematic review, 2010
Does acupuncture treat premenstrual syndrome?
Survey study, 2026
Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls?
Non-randomised trial, 2026
Does video-guided digital menstrual exercise reduce PMS and period pain in adolescent girls?
Cohort study, 2025
Does PMS or other menstrual problems increase the risk of asthma later in life?