Summary: Depression may increase the risk of menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, through mechanisms such as sleep disturbances. Using genetic analysis, researchers found that depression likely causes period pain, rather than the reverse, highlighting an underexplored connection between mental and reproductive health. The study suggests that addressing sleep issues and mental health could improve treatment for severe menstrual pain.
Key Facts:
- Depression likely contributes to menstrual pain rather than resulting from it.
- Sleep disturbances may worsen both depression and menstrual pain symptoms.
- Findings advocate for mental health screenings in patients with severe period pain.
Source: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression and often experience more severe physical symptoms. This gender difference is particularly evident during reproductive years and dramatically impacts the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
However, although links between mental health and reproductive health have been found, the associations have remained underexplored.
In a new study published in Briefings in Bioinformatics, researchers from China and the UK have found that depression can increase the chances of a person experiencing menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea).
Shuhe Liu, lead author of the study and a PhD student at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool-University (XJTLU), China, says: “We used a specialised technique called Mendelian randomisation to analyse 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.”
The team analysed approximately 600,000 cases from European populations and 8,000 from East Asian populations and saw a strong link in both datasets.
They also investigated the possibility that sleeplessness, often experienced by those suffering from depression, was a significant mediator between depression and dysmenorrhea.
“We found that increased sleep disturbances could exacerbate menstrual pain. Addressing sleep issues may therefore be crucial in managing both conditions. However, more research is required to understand the intricate links between these factors,” says Liu.
Holistic approach
This study further highlights the need for a holistic approach when treating mental health and reproductive issues.
Liu says: “Mental disorders are often not considered when treating conditions such as period pain. Our findings emphasise the importance of mental health screening for people who suffer from severe menstrual pain.
“We hope this can lead to more personalised treatment options, and improved healthcare, and reduce the stigma surrounding the conditions.
“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.”
Liu is supervised by Professor John Moraros and Dr Zhen Wei from XJTLU, China and Dr Dan Carr from the University of Liverpool, UK.
About this pain and depression research news
Author: Catherine Diamond
Source: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Contact: Catherine Diamond – Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Deciphering the genetic interplay between depression and dysmenorrhea: a Mendelian randomization study” by Shuhe Liu et al. Briefings in Bioinformatics
Abstract
Deciphering the genetic interplay between depression and dysmenorrhea: a Mendelian randomization study
Background
This study aims to explore the link between depression and dysmenorrhea by using an integrated and innovative approach that combines genomic, transcriptomic, and protein interaction data/information from various resources.
Methods
A two-sample, bidirectional, and multivariate Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was applied to determine causality between dysmenorrhea and depression. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were used to identify genetic variants associated with both dysmenorrhea and depression, followed by colocalization analysis of shared genetic influences.
Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data were analyzed from public databases to pinpoint target genes in relevant tissues. Additionally, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database to analyze interactions among identified proteins.
Results
MR analysis confirmed a significant causal effect of depression on dysmenorrhea [‘odds ratio’ (95% confidence interval) = 1.51 (1.19, 1.91), P = 7.26 × 10−4]. Conversely, no evidence was found to support a causal effect of dysmenorrhea on depression (P = .74). Genetic analysis, using GWAS and eQTL data, identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms in several genes, including GRK4, TRAIP, and RNF123, indicating that depression may impact reproductive function through these genetic pathways, with a detailed picture presented by way of analysis in the PPI network. Colocalization analysis highlighted rs34341246(RBMS3) as a potential shared causal variant.
Conclusions
This study suggests that depression significantly affects dysmenorrhea and identifies key genes and proteins involved in this interaction. The findings underline the need for integrated clinical and public health approaches that screen for depression among women presenting with dysmenorrhea and suggest new targeted preventive strategies.
