A new study by researchers from China and the UK explores the link between depression and menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), a connection that has been underexplored despite known gender differences in major depressive disorder (MDD).
Women are more significantly affected by MDD, especially during reproductive years, including premenstrual, pregnancy, and perimenopausal periods. The study uses an innovative approach, combining genomic, transcriptomic, and protein interaction data from various resources to investigate this relationship.
Shuhe Liu, the lead author of the study and a PhD student at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool-University (XJTLU), China, says: “We used a specialized technique called Mendelian randomization to analyze genetic variation and identify specific genes that may mediate the effect of depression on menstrual pain.
“Our findings provide preliminary evidence that depression may be a cause, rather than a consequence, of dysmenorrhea as we did not find evidence that period pain increased the risk of depression.”
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The study analyzed around 600,000 cases from European populations and 8,000 from East Asian populations, finding a strong link between depression and menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) in both datasets. The researchers also examined the role of sleeplessness, a common symptom of depression, as a mediator between depression and dysmenorrhea.
They discovered that increased sleep disturbances could worsen menstrual pain, suggesting that addressing sleep issues may be important in managing both conditions. However, further research is needed to understand the complex relationships between these factors fully.
Liu said, “Mental disorders are often not considered when treating conditions such as period pain. Our findings emphasize the importance of mental health screening for people who suffer from severe menstrual pain. We hope this can lead to more personalized treatment options, improved healthcare, and reduced the stigma surrounding the conditions.”
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“Our results provide evidence of a link between our neurological systems and the rest of the body. By exploring and understanding these relationships better, we can make a real difference to the millions of people experiencing period pain and mental health issues.”
Journal Reference:
- Shuhe Liu, Zhen Wei, Daniel F Carr, John Moraros. Deciphering the genetic interplay between depression and dysmenorrhea: a Mendelian randomization study. Briefings in Bioinformatics. DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae589
