Tu FF, Datta A, Atashroo D, et al. - Researchers examined young women with comorbid dysmenorrhea and bladder hypersensitivity in order to assess their characteristics regarding demography, menstruation, pelvic examination, and psychosocial profiles. For this prospective cohort study, data were obtained from participants with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea (n = 212), healthy controls (n = 44), and bladder pain syndrome (n = 27). In this largely young, single, nulliparous cohort (24 ± 1 years old), nearly a quarter (46 out of 212) of dysmenorrhea sufferers tested positive for the dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain phenotype. Findings suggest the presence of broad somatic sensitivity and elevated psychological distress among women with dysmenorrhea who are unaware of their bladder sensitivity, suggesting the possible value of combined preclinical visceral sensitivity as a precursor to chronic pelvic pain. Describing such precursor states is necessary to conceptualize and test preventative interventions for chronic pelvic pain emergence. Dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain is also associated with higher self-reported pelvic pain unrelated to menses, suggesting central nervous system changes are present in this potential precursor state.