Cohort study, 2002
Is jaw pain sensitivity different at different times of the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Women with jaw muscle pain are less sensitive to pressure pain in the phases before and after their period, but more sensitive to pain around menstruation itself.
What they did
15 women with jaw muscle pain (temporomandibular disorder) were tested for pain sensitivity at different points across 2 menstrual cycles. Pain was measured by seeing how much pressure they could tolerate before pain started (pressure-pain threshold), pain ratings, and descriptions of pain quality. Only 10 women completed the study.
What they found
Pain tolerance improved 16% to 42% in the follicular and luteal phases (before and after the period). Pain tolerance remained low in the perimenstrual phase (around the period). Self-reported pain ratings on a visual scale didn't match the pressure measurements well. The quality of pain (sensory, emotional, and evaluative aspects) improved by the end of the study.
What it means for you
Menstrual hormones affect how sensitive jaw muscles are to pain, with people most sensitive around their period. This is a very small study of one specific pain condition, so the findings may not apply to other types of pain or PMS in general.
15
Women with jaw muscle pain enrolled
10
Completed the study
16%-42%
Increase in pain tolerance in follicular and luteal phases
About the study
- Original title
- Pressure-pain threshold variation in temporomandibular disorder myalgia over the course of the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Isselée H, De Laat A, De Mot B et al.
- Journal
- Journal of orofacial pain
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 15
- What was tested
- None; natural menstrual cycle observed
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12043517/