According to global health statistics, nearly one billion women worldwide report experiencing significant physical pain daily, with roughly one in four women — which translates to almost 700 million — facing health issues that hinder their everyday activities.1
Some health issues remain taboo. According to available data, approximately 80% of women experience menstrual cramps at some point in their lives, with more than half (51%) reporting pain during every period.
Many women endure severe pain that disrupts their daily lives. Menstrual pain or primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain with no underlying pathology) is the most common gynaecological condition affecting women of reproductive age.
According to the World Health Organization, it is thought to be the leading cause of chronic pelvic pain worldwide. Its prevalence ranges from 45–95% and is linked with restrictions in daily activities, absenteeism from work and both school and personal distress.2
Although the primary mechanisms of dysmenorrhea remain to be fully established, the primary cause of its painful symptoms has been identified as the excessive production of uterine prostaglandins, specifically prostaglandin F2-α (PGF2α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which are most significant during the early days of menstruation.
Prostaglandins are natural chemicals that are produced in the lining of the uterus; higher levels are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.
In addition to their regulatory effects on inflammation, pain and body temperature, prostaglandin production is also associated with the secondary symptoms of menstrual discomfort, such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and headaches.
Moreover, women experiencing dysmenorrhea may exhibit increased levels of proinflammatory mediators and a higher body temperature.
Period pain often manifests as a throbbing, cramping sensation in the lower abdomen but can also radiate to the back or legs.
Although most individuals experience mild pain and discomfort during their period, some may find the pain and cramping so intense that it affects their ability to function normally.
Limited research indicates that period pain can be as severe as a heart attack.3
A recent clinical study on humans examined Levagen+, a palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) ingredient, demonstrating its safety and effectiveness as a supplement to alleviate acute menstrual discomfort.4
Preclinical research indicates that PEA’s primary mechanism of action provides relief from occasional discomfort and supports a balanced inflammatory response, potentially through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα).
Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PEA as a way to alleviate acute menstrual pain in otherwise healthy women.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial included 80 menstruating females aged 18 years and older who self-reported mild to moderate menstrual cramp pain.
Each randomised bottle of the trial product contained either 350 mg of Levagen+ or a placebo (350 mg of microcrystalline cellulose).
Pain scores were recorded using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) every 30 minutes for up to 4 hours.
The findings indicate that Levagen+ significantly reduced pain scores compared with the placebo at 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 hours post-dose, achieving a pain reduction of approximately 25% by 2.5 hours compared with the placebo group.
This study demonstrates that Levagen+ is an effective strategy to reduce acute menstrual pain in healthy women.
Despite its negative impact on daily life and its common occurrence, menstrual pain is often viewed as a “normal” part of a woman’s menstrual cycle … and women have had few options available to relieve that discomfort.
The results of this study indicate that Levagen+ can be an effective and quick-acting supplement to support women during their monthly cycles.
Gencor will continue to invest in clinical research to explore how Levagen+ can further contribute to female health.
