Sensory Processing Patterns in Emerging Adult Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the sensory processing patterns of emerging adult women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and those without PD. Materials and Methods: A total of 540 women were included in the study, divided into two groups: the study group (SG, n = 300) and the control group (CG, n = 240). The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) was utilized to assess sensory processing patterns and sensory modalities. The severity of PD was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) with a range of 0 to 10. The participants' weight and height were recorded, and the body mass indexes were calculated. Results: As evidenced by the AASP scores, participants in the SG demonstrated heightened levels of sensory sensitivity in comparison to those in the CG (p < 0.05). PD reported heightened levels of sensory sensitivity across multiple domains, including taste/smell, movement, visual, touch, activity level, and auditory processing (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This article highlights the significance of considering sensory processing patterns in the assessment and management of PD among emerging adult women. By recognizing and addressing sensory sensitivities, healthcare providers can improve the quality of care and support for individuals navigating the challenges of menstrual pain.

Keywords

• adult
• dysmenorrhea
• sensory process
• women

References

1. Aouad, P., Bui, M., Sarraf, S., Donnelly, T., Chen, Y., Jaaniste, T., Eden, J., & Champion, G. D. (2022). Primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescents and young women: a twin family study of maternal transmission, genetic influence and associations. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 62(5), 725-731.
2. Atta, K., Jawed, S., & Zia, S. (2016). Correlating primary dysmenorrhea with its stressors: a cross sectional study investigating the most likely factors of primary dysmenorrhea and its effects on quality of life and general well being. Journal of University Medical & Dental College, 7(4).
3. Baran, E., & Yılmaz, T. (2024). Investigation of postural sensory organization in women with and without primary dysmenorrhea in three phases of the menstrual cycle. Gait & posture, 109, 49-55.
4. Barbosa-Silva, J., Avila, M. A., de Oliveira, R. F., Dedicação, A. C., Godoy, A. G., Rodrigues, J. C., & Driusso, P. (2024). Prevalence, pain intensity and symptoms associated with primary dysmenorrhea: a cross-sectional study. BMC Women's Health, 24(1), 92.
5. Bernardi, M., Lazzeri, L., Perelli, F., Reis, F. M., & Petraglia, F. (2017). Dysmenorrhea and related disorders. F1000Research, 6.
6. Casale, R., Atzeni, F., Bazzichi, L., Beretta, G., Costantini, E., Sacerdote, P., & Tassorelli, C. (2021). Pain in women: a perspective review on a relevant clinical issue that deserves prioritization. Pain and therapy, 10, 287-314.
7. Costa-Lopez, B., Ferrer-Cascales, R., Ruiz-Robledillo, N., Albaladejo-Blazquez, N., & Baryła-Matejczuk, M. (2021). Relationship between sensory processing and quality of life: A systematic review. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(17), 3961.
8. Dunn, W., & Brown, C. E. (2002). Adolescent-adult sensory profile: user's manual. Psychological corporation. Ferries-Rowe, E., Corey, E., & Archer, J. S. (2020). Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 136(5), 1047-1058.

9. Greven, C. U., Lionetti, F., Booth, C., Aron, E. N., Fox, E., Schendan, H. E., ... & Homberg, J. (2019). Sensory processing sensitivity in the context of environmental sensitivity: A critical review and development of research agenda. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 98, 287-305.
10. Hellman, K. M., Roth, G. E., Dillane, K. E., Garrison, E. F., Oladosu, F. A., Clauw, D. J., & Tu, F. F. (2020). Dysmenorrhea subtypes exhibit differential quantitative sensory assessment profiles. Pain, 161(6), 1227-1236.
11. Hochberg, Z. E., & Konner, M. (2020). Emerging adulthood, a pre-adult life-history stage. Frontiers in endocrinology, 10, 918.
12. Iacovides, S., Avidon, I., & Baker, F. C. (2015). What we know about primary dysmenorrhea today: a critical review. Human reproduction update, 21(6), 762-778.
13. Ikarashi, K., Iguchi, K., Yamazaki, Y., Yamashiro, K., Baba, Y., & Sato, D. (2020). Influence of menstrual cycle phases on neural excitability in the primary somatosensory cortex and ankle joint position sense. Women's Health Reports, 1(1), 167-178.
14. Joshi, T., Kural, M., Agrawal, D. P., Noor, N. N., & Patil, A. (2015). Primary dysmenorrhea and its effect on quality of life in young girls. International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health, 4(3), 381.
15. Knox, B., Ong, Y. C., Bakar, M. A., & Grover, S. R. (2019). A longitudinal study of adolescent dysmenorrhoea into adulthood. European journal of pediatrics, 178, 1325-1332.
16. Mendelson, S., Anbukkarasu, P., Cassisi, J. E., & Zaman, W. (2023). Gastrointestinal functioning and menstrual cycle phase in emerging young adult women: a cross-sectional study. BMC gastroenterology, 23(1), 406.
17. Nazaré, M. S. L. d., Silva, J. A. M. G., Navega, M. T., & Fagnello-Navega, F. R. (2014). Comparison of pain threshold and duration of pain perception in men and women of different ages. Fisioterapia em Movimento, 27, 77-84.
18. Oksuz Yalvac, C., Akdağ Topal, C., & Boztepe, H. (2024). A comprehensive investigation of biopsychosocial determinants influencing primary dysmenorrhea among university students. Women & Health, 1-12.
19. Pakniat, H., Chegini, V., Ranjkesh, F., & Hosseini, M. A. (2019). Comparison of the effect of vitamin E, vitamin D and ginger on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea: a single-blind clinical trial. Obstetrics & gynecology science, 62(6), 462-468.
20. Price, D. D., McGrath, P. A., Rafii, A., & Buckingham, B. (1983). The validation of visual analogue scales as ratio scale measures for chronic and experimental pain. Pain, 17(1), 45-56.
21. Sabu, S. (2021). The changing sensory experience of menstruation in central Kerala, India. The Senses and Society, 16(1), 31-45.
22. Santos, L. B. d., Barbosa, I. R., Dantas, T. H. d. M., Araujo, C. M., Dantas, J. H., Ferreira, C. W. S., Câmara, S. M. A. d., & Dantas, D. (2022). Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and associated factors in adult women. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, 68, 31-36.
23. Schreiber, T., & Solebo, A. L. (2023). The Experience of Menarche for Young People With Sensory and Motor Impairments: A Systematic Review. Journal of Adolescent Health.
24. Schrepf, A., Hellman, K. M., Bohnert, A. M., Williams, D. A., & Tu, F. F. (2023). Generalized sensory sensitivity is associated with comorbid pain symptoms: a replication study in women with dysmenorrhea. Pain, 164(1), 142-148.
25. Slater, H., Paananen, M., Smith, A. J., O'Sullivan, P., Briggs, A. M., Hickey, M., Mountain, J., Karppinen, J., & Beales, D. (2015). Heightened cold pain and pressure pain sensitivity in young female adults with moderate-to-severe menstrual pain. Pain, 156(12), 2468-2478.
26. Takahashi, T., Kawashima, I., Nitta, Y., & Kumano, H. (2020). Dispositional mindfulness mediates the relationship between sensory-processing sensitivity and trait anxiety, well-being, and psychosomatic symptoms. Psychological reports, 123(4), 1083-1098.
27. Tu, F. F., Hellman, K. M., Roth, G. E., Dillane, K. E., & Walker, L. S. (2022). Noninvasive bladder testing of adolescent females to assess visceral hypersensitivity. Pain, 163(1), 100-109.
28. Turjeman-Levi, Y., & Kluger, A. N. (2022). Sensory-processing sensitivity versus the sensory-processing theory: Convergence and divergence. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1010836.
29. Üçgül, M. Ş., Karahan, S., & Öksüz, Ç. (2017). Reliability and validity study of Turkish version of Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. British journal of occupational therapy, 80(8), 510-516.
30. Yılmaz, B., & Şahin, N. (2019). Bir hemşirelik fakültesi öğrencilerinin primer dismenore sıklığı ve menstrual tutumları. Mersin Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 12(3), 426-438.