Menstrual Cycle Could Be Contributing To Sickle Cell Pain Events

 A recent article in the U.S. and World Report News shows that inflammation increases in women during their periods with sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell disease is a red blood cell disorder that causes the red blood cells to become misshapen and sticky. Recent research has demonstrated that inflammation increases pain. 

Hormonal contraceptives have been able to suppress menstruation and manage pain. The study analyzed 13 women and 18 men with sickle cell disease. It specifically tracked the C-reactive protein, which causes inflammation in the body. This study showed that the C-reactive protein was higher during the first half of the patients' menstrual cycles. The more data collected from other patients, the more they hope to create a pain management option.