Chen Chen
Associate ProfessorCommunity and Health Systems
ude[dot]ui[at]nehcxc
Mechanisms and Management of Menstrual Pain
My program of research focuses on management of dysmenorrhea. Characterized by menstrual pain, dysmenorrhea is a prevalent pain condition among females of reproductive age that puts them at higher risk for developing other chronic pain conditions later in life. My goals for this program of research are to support dysmenorrhea management, improve women’s quality of life, and to some extent, reduce the risk for developing future pain conditions among affected women. I led a team to uncover individual differences and racial disparities in dysmenorrhea, serving as a foundational step for personalizing dysmenorrhea care and addressing disparities. I discovered potential microbiome mechanisms underlying individual differences in dysmenorrhea, which can potentially inform the development of novel and personalized interventions. I am nationally recognized as an expert in dysmenorrhea assessment. I provide research consultations for on dysmenorrhea measurement methodologies. My team designed and tested a novel assessment tool – the Dysmenorrhea Symptom Interference scale, which has been used and translated into different languages by researchers across several countries. I also conducted foundational work to characterize person-centered needs related to dysmenorrhea using diverse methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and big data analytics. This work informs interventions to support dysmenorrhea management. Beyond my research on dysmenorrhea, I have been engaged in interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring in the areas of pain management, symptom science, and women’s health. My research has great potential to transform care, reduce disparities, and inform health policy. My research impact is evidenced by peer-reviewed and invited presentations, competitive grant funding (>$3 million), requests for consultation, and a robust publication and citation record. My dysmenorrhea research has been cited >900 times by academicians, clinicians from 50 countries in six continents as well as the media, indicating my research raises awareness of dysmenorrhea and serves as a foundation for research/practice.