Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/130106
Type: Thesis
Title: Investigations into the lived experience and aetiology of dysmenorrhoea and pelvic pain in young women
Author: Evans, Susan Florence
Issue Date: 2021
School/Discipline: School of Medicine
Abstract: Almost every woman will experience dysmenorrhoea at some time in her life, although the severity, duration and persistence of dysmenorrhoea vary widely. This thesis investigates the lived experience of women with severe dysmenorrhoea through observational studies of women’s symptoms, through laboratory studies investigating aetiologies for dysmenorrhoea, and by linking these studies to develop conclusions with strong translational relevance. While dysmenorrhoea may be associated with the more extensively researched medical condition endometriosis, this thesis is intentionally painfocused rather than endometriosis lesion-focused to ensure maximal translational potential to address the unmet needs of women with pain. In summary, this thesis addresses the differences between the one in five young women who suffer severe menstrual pain, and those women who are unaffected by pain. It investigates whether there is evidence for activation of the innate immune system in pelvic pain, and specifically Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs), and whether the hormonal environment influences this immune activation. It concludes with the novel hypothesis that a common aetiological factor linked to activation of Toll-Like Receptors within the uterus underlies the pain experience in women with dysmenorrhoea, chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis.
Advisor: Rolan, Paul
Hull, Louise
Dissertation Note: Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2021
Keywords: Dysmenorrhoea
chronic pelvic pain
endometriosis
women, co-morbidities
androgens
toll-like receptors
Provenance: This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals
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