---
title: Why do women with PMDD experience more pain, and is their body's natural pain control system working properly?
description: Women with PMDD experience greater pain during the late-luteal phase and increased spinal sensitivity during ovulation. Their pain-blocking system works norma
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/endogenous-inhibition-of-pain-and-spinal-nociception-in-women-with-premenstrual-2016/
---

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- Why do women with PMDD experience more pain, and is their body's natural pain control system working properly?

Case-control study, 2016

# Why do women with PMDD experience more pain, and is their body's natural pain control system working properly?

Women with PMDD experience greater pain during the late-luteal phase and increased spinal sensitivity during ovulation. Their pain-blocking system works normally, suggesting pain stems from spinal cord sensitivity rather than a brain problem.

 Moderate study design

14 women with PMDD and 14 women without PMDD.

## What they did

Case-control study with 14 women with PMDD and 14 women without PMDD. Researchers tested pain responses and spinal reflex responses at different points in the menstrual cycle using electrical stimulation and a painful ischemia task.

## What they found

Women with PMDD experienced greater pain during the late-luteal phase and enhanced spinal responses during ovulation, both independent of the body's natural pain control system. Both groups showed normal pain inhibition that did not differ by menstrual phase. Only women with PMDD showed pain inhibition of the spinal reflex response.

## What it means for you

PMDD pain may be driven by increased spinal cord sensitivity rather than problems with the brain's pain control systems. This is a relatively small study from 2016.

14

women with PMDD

14

women without PMDD

## About the study

Original title Endogenous inhibition of pain and spinal nociception in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Palit S, Bartley EJ, Kuhn BL et al. Journal Journal of pain research Year 2016 Study design Case-control study What was tested Painful electrical stimulation and ischemia task to measure pain responses. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s97109](https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s97109)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Lab study, 2026

Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD?

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Study, 2015

Does treating the uterus with injections and freezing help severe PMS and PMDD?

Study, 2014

Do women with PMDD lose the normal ability to control pain with emotions?

Review, 2003

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Survey study, 2024

What factors are associated with PMS and PMDD in adolescent and young women?

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