Metabolomics study on primary dysmenorrhea patients during the luteal regression stage Original paper

Researched by:

  • Divine Aleru ID
    Divine Aleru

    User avatarI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.

    Read More

July 25, 2025

  • Women’s Health
    Women’s Health

    Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.

  • Primary Dysmenorrhea
    Primary Dysmenorrhea

    Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is painful menstrual cramps without underlying pelvic pathology, predominantly caused by elevated prostaglandins inducing uterine contractions and ischemia. Managing primary dysmenorrhea (PD) requires understanding its complex mechanisms involving prostaglandins, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Treatments include NSAIDs, hormonal therapies, and promising complementary options like probiotics, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and massage, significantly improving women's quality of life.

Researched by:

  • Divine Aleru ID
    Divine Aleru

    User avatarI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.

    Read More

Last Updated: 2025-07-26

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Divine Aleru

I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.

What was studied?

This study utilized ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) to perform metabolomic profiling of urine samples from patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) during the luteal regression stage. The aim was to identify metabolic biomarkers associated with PD and understand the underlying biochemical changes during this stage of the menstrual cycle. The analysis revealed differences in urinary metabolites between PD patients and healthy controls, identifying ten significant biomarkers that could potentially serve as diagnostic tools or therapeutic targets for PD.

Who was studied?

The study included 36 patients diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea and 27 healthy controls. The patients with PD were selected based on clinical criteria for severe dysmenorrhea symptoms, with pain severity recorded as greater than 8 on a standard pain scale. Urine samples were collected during the luteal regression stage, specifically three days prior to menstruation, a phase critical for understanding dysmenorrhea’s biochemical profile. Both groups were from the Tianjin Maternity Hospital and Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine, all of whom provided informed consent.

Most important findings

The metabolomic analysis identified ten biomarkers significantly altered in PD patients during the luteal regression stage. These biomarkers included citrulline, ornithine, androstenedione, progesterone, phytosphingosine, dihydrocortisol, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone, all of which showed decreased levels in PD patients. In contrast, sphinganine, histidine, and 15-keto-prostaglandin F2α were found to be elevated in PD patients. These findings suggest that metabolic perturbations in steroid hormone biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism, and arginine/proline metabolism may contribute to the pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea. The study’s use of ROC curve analysis confirmed that several biomarkers had strong discriminatory power between PD patients and healthy controls, demonstrating their potential as diagnostic markers.

Key implications

The findings from this metabolomics study highlight the potential for using urinary biomarkers as a diagnostic and therapeutic approach for managing primary dysmenorrhea. By identifying specific metabolic changes associated with PD, this study opens avenues for the development of targeted therapies that could alleviate symptoms by modulating the identified metabolic pathways. Moreover, the study underscores the need for further research into how these biomarkers can be integrated into clinical practice, offering non-invasive, effective tools for early detection and personalized treatment plans for PD.

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is painful menstrual cramps without underlying pelvic pathology, predominantly caused by elevated prostaglandins inducing uterine contractions and ischemia. Managing primary dysmenorrhea (PD) requires understanding its complex mechanisms involving prostaglandins, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Treatments include NSAIDs, hormonal therapies, and promising complementary options like probiotics, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and massage, significantly improving women's quality of life.

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