Teens' period pain linked to brain changes in new study

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Female aged 13-19 years 2. Self-reported menstrual cycle averaging 22-35 days 3. Regular menstrual cycles for at least 6 months 4. Access to a smartphone or email 5. Right handed 6. Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or less 7. Able to read and understand English 8. Ability and willingness to provide written informed assent/consent 9. Availability of a parent to provide written parental permission (for participants under age 18) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Use of oral contraceptives or any exogenous hormones in the previous 3 months prior to participation 2. Presence of factors indicative of secondary dysmenorrhea (e.g., self-reported presence of persistent pelvic pain throughout the month) 3. Diagnosis of chronic pain condition (e.g., Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional abdominal pain, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome) 4. Current self-reported severe depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, or ADHD, or current treatment for these conditions 5. Diagnosis of an eating disorder within the last 6 months 6. Current or past diagnosis of any psychotic disorder 7. Currently pregnant 8. Self-reported weekly use of alcohol, cannabis, and/or other illegal substances 9. Use of stimulants (including methamphetamine and/or medications for the treatment of ADHD) or opioids in the previous 3 months. Participants who use other analgesics will be included but will be requested to not take these analgesics within the previous 24 hours of the laboratory session 10. History of pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted disease 11. Acute illness or injury that would potentially impact pain task performance (e.g., fever, flu symptoms) or that affect sensitivity of the extremities (e.g., Reynaud's disease). Potential participants who are being treated for cardiovascular disease(s) will be included pending discussion with the participant's primary physician 12. Developmental delay, diagnosis of autism, or significant cognitive impairment that may preclude understanding of study procedures 13. Presence of certain ferromagnetic appliance or implants (braces, retainers, spacers, wires, screws, etc.) in the mouth or any other body part that may be a contraindication for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner 14. Significant fear of enclosed places (claustrophobia)