title: Ovarian hormones and chronic pain: A comprehensive review.
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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Samah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Abi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muere
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Einstein
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D042341:Gonadal Hormones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D011372:Progestins
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D042341:Gonadal Hormones; D011372:Progestins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: Chronic pain; Chronic pelvic pain; Fibromyalgia; Irritable bowel syndrome; Menstrual cycle; Migraine headache; Ovarian hormones; Temporomandibular joint disorder