Signs before puberty could predict painful periods, study finds

Published on 02/09/2026 - 10:40 GMT+2

Experiencing non-painful symptoms, such as fatigue and dizziness, before the first period might signal a higher risk of dysmenorrhoea — painful menstruation for the years to come, according to a new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

Many women struggle with period pain, which starts in adolescence and can affect their lives for years after. Researchers hope that addressing some of the symptoms before a person's first menstrual period could reduce the burden of dysmenorrhoea on young women.

“Identifying risk factors for dysmenorrhoea, especially severe dysmenorrhoea, has the potential to improve outcomes for female adolescents through early and more targeted treatment,” the authors wrote.

The researchers analysed data from over 2,000 adolescents and found that non-painful somatic symptoms – such as fatigue, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, nightmares or sensory changes – and advanced pubertal development at ages nine to ten are strong indicators of future menstrual pain.

Dysmenorrhoea is common in adolescence and is often dismissed as inevitable or left untreated, the authors wrote. It can interfere with daily functioning and lead to other chronic pain conditions; however, little is known about its risk factors, and the lack of research before the first period is hindering efforts to identify those at risk.

Previous research has found that approximately 70% of female adolescents experience menstrual pain, and in 20% of cases it has a significant impact on their daily activities.

The study also found that sleep problems were strongly associated with a greater impact of pain on daily activities. Researchers say that addressing sleep disturbances before the first period could help to reduce the pain burden.

For example, cognitive behavioural therapy targeting this issue in adolescents with chronic pain shows promise for easing both the sleep problems and the resulting pain interference.

“These findings raise the possibility of identifying at-risk individuals before pain becomes a lifelong issue,” the authors wrote.