Ovarian hormones and chronic pain: A comprehensive review

Samah Hassan, Abi Muere, Gillian Einstein
Pain · 2014 · vol. 155(12) , pp. 2448–2460 · doi:10.1016/j.pain.2014.08.027 · PMID:25172822 · W2123543192
review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 11 in-corpus citations
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This review of 50 human studies found that while ovarian hormones may modulate chronic noncancer pain conditions, inconsistencies in study design hinder definitive conclusions except for menstrual migraine and endometriosis.

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Abstract

Most chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) conditions are more common in women and have been reported to worsen, particularly during the peak reproductive years. This phenomenon suggests that ovarian hormones might play a role in modulating CNCP pain. To this end, we reviewed human literature aiming to assess the potential role of ovarian hormones in modulating the following CNCP conditions: musculoskeletal pain, migraine headache, temporal mandibular disorder, and pelvic pain. We found 50 relevant clinical studies, the majority of which demonstrated a correlation between hormone changes or treatments and pain intensity, threshold, or symptoms. Taken together, the findings suggest that changes in hormonal levels may well play a role in modulating the severity of CNCP conditions. However, the lack of consistency in study design, methodology, and interpretation of menstrual cycle phases impedes comparison between the studies. Thus, while the literature is highly suggestive of the role of ovarian hormones in modulating CNCP conditions, serious confounds impede a definitive understanding for most conditions except menstrual migraine and endometriosis. It may be that these inconsistencies and the resulting lack of clarity have contributed to the failure of hormonal effects being translated into medical practice for treatment of CNCP conditions.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Gonadal Hormones Gonadal Hormones Chronic Pain Estrogens Female Follicle Stimulating Hormone Follicle Stimulating Hormone Gonadal Hormones Humans Luteinizing Hormone Male Menstrual Cycle Menstrual Cycle Progestins

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References (100)

Cited by (11)

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