Study finds first menstrual period at younger age linked to chronic pain
A new study has found that women who got their 1st menstrual period (menarche) at a younger age are more likely to report chronic pain in adulthood.
We found strong associations between age at menarche and chronic pain outcomes in adult women, according to the new research by some researchers.
The findings add to previous evidence suggesting that increased estrogen levels associated with early menarche may contribute to pain, and to sex differences in pain in general.
The study included data on more than 12,000 women (average age 55) participating in the study, an ongoing population study of the health of people in northern Norway. The researchers analysed associations between women’s self-reported age at menarche and the presence and characteristics of chronic pain.
The women’s reported average age at menarche was about 13 years. About 40 % of women reported experiencing chronic pain.
Women with younger age of menarche were more likely to have chronic pain. After adjustments for potential confounding factors, the relative risk of chronic pain decreased by 2% for each 1 year delay in menarche. Absolute risk decreased by 1.1 to 1.4 percentage points per year. Across the full range of reported ages – from 9- 18 years- the absolute risk of chronic pain differed by 12.6 percentage points.
Older age at menarche was associated with lower rates of chronic pain in each of 10 body regions assessed, with the strongest associations for chest and abdominal pain. Younger age at menarche was associated with a longer duration of pain.
Based on recently updated criteria, the prevalence of chronic widespread pain (CWP) was 7.4 %. Later menarche was associated with a decreased risk of experiencing CWP, with a risk ratio of 7% and an absolute risk difference of 1.5 percentage points per year.
Based on the new findings, the researchers conclude that “ Age at menarche is an independent risk factor for chronic pain, site- specific chronic pain, and chronic widespread pain and ( thereby) contribute to the explanation of sex differences in pain.”
Each additional year delay to the 1st menstrual period is associated with a reduced risk for having chronic pain lasting 5 years or longer, as well as a reduced risk of CWP.