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Kevin Hellman

TitleAssistant Professor, Part-Time
InstitutionUniversity of Chicago
DepartmentObstetrics and Gynecology
AddressChicago IL 60637
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    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview
    I am the principal investigator of an NIH funded grant that studies the physiology and treatment of women's health conditions. Dysmenorrhea, period pain, is the leading cause of school/work absence and foremost risk factor for chronic visceral pain in reproductive aged women. Our laboratory has developed new animal models, investigated novel diagnostic methods, and conducted treatment studies. My goal is to systematically define the pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea and develop new treatments, while simultaneously training a cadre of future investigators to revolutionize the study of visceral pain. Our research is essential because there are few other laboratories dedicated to eradicating dysmenorrhea, one of the most frequent causes of suffering and gender disparity worldwide. Our recent review article on dysmenorrhea http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2017.08.108 was reading material for board recertification and provides a roadmap for developing effective treatments for menstrual pain.

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse research activities and funding
    R01HD098193     (HELLMAN, KEVIN)Sep 6, 2019 - Aug 31, 2024
    NIH
    Mechanistic Characterization of Uterine Pain (M-CUP) to improve diagnosis and treatment for dysmenorrhea
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R21HD091502     (HELLMAN, KEVIN)Aug 2, 2017 - Jan 31, 2021
    NIH
    Noninvasive imaging of uterine physiology to improve treatment for dysmenorrhea
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R21HD081709     (HELLMAN, KEVIN)Aug 6, 2014 - Jul 31, 2017
    NIH
    Neurophysiological Diagnostics for Menstrual Pain
    Role: Principal Investigator

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
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    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Osborne NR, Hellman KM, Burda EM, Darnell SE, Singh L, Schrepf AD, Walker LS, Tu FF. Multimodal hypersensitivity and somatic symptoms predict adolescent postmenarchal widespread pain. Pain. 2025 Apr 29. PMID: 40288817.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    2. Reina EM, Hellman KM, Kmiecik MJ, Terkildsen MF, Tu FF. Associations between menstrual pain and sexual function: the role of visceral hypersensitivity on developing sexual pain. J Sex Med. 2025 Jan 03; 22(1):98-106. PMID: 39545357; PMCID: PMC11697057.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    3. Medved M, Harmath CB, Siblini H, Giurcanu M, Kulkarni K, Hellman KM, Madueke-Laveaux OS. Multiparametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of uterine fibroids for prediction of growth rate-a pilot study. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2024 Jul 01; 14(7):4362-4375. PMID: 39022288; PMCID: PMC11250352.
      Citations: 1     
    4. Hellman KM, Tu FF. Hal, how many types of pelvic pain are there? Pain. 2024 Sep 01; 165(9):1897-1898. PMID: 38564003; PMCID: PMC11333176.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    5. Cockrum RH, Tu FF, Kierzkowska O, Leloudas N, Pottumarthi PV, Hellman KM. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging-based investigation of the role of perfusion and oxygen availability in menstrual pain. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 05; 230(5):553.e1-553.e14. PMID: 38295969; PMCID: PMC11070298.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. Bohnert AM, Walker LS, Tu FF, Hellman KM, Darnell SE, Harber KA, Singh L. A multidimensional appraisal of early menstrual pain experience. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 05; 230(5):550.e1-550.e10. PMID: 38290643; PMCID: PMC11165568.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    7. Kmiecik MJ, Tu FF, Clauw DJ, Hellman KM. Multimodal hypersensitivity derived from quantitative sensory testing predicts pelvic pain outcome: an observational cohort study. Pain. 2023 09 01; 164(9):2070-2083. PMID: 37226937; PMCID: PMC10440257.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. Shlobin AE, Tu FF, Sain CR, Kmiecik MJ, Kantarovich D, Singh L, Wang CE, Hellman KM. Bladder Pain Sensitivity Is a Potential Risk Factor for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Dig Dis Sci. 2023 07; 68(7):3092-3102. PMID: 36879177; PMCID: PMC11949466.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    9. Oh H, Ehrenpreis ED, Tu FF, Dillane KE, Garrison EF, Leloudas N, Prasad PV, Hellman KM. Menstrual Cycle Variation in MRI-Based Quantification of Intraluminal Gas in Women With and Without Dysmenorrhea. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2022; 3:720141. PMID: 35634451; PMCID: PMC9130698.
      Citations: 2     
    10. Schrepf A, Hellman KM, Bohnert AM, Williams DA, Tu FF. Generalized sensory sensitivity is associated with comorbid pain symptoms: a replication study in women with dysmenorrhea. Pain. 2023 01 01; 164(1):142-148. PMID: 35543649; PMCID: PMC9704354.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    11. Tu FF, Hellman KM, Roth GE, Dillane KE, Walker LS. Noninvasive bladder testing of adolescent females to assess visceral hypersensitivity. Pain. 2022 Jan 01; 163(1):100-109. PMID: 34086630; PMCID: PMC8505577.
      Citations: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    12. Kmiecik MJ, Tu FF, Silton RL, Dillane KE, Roth GE, Harte SE, Hellman KM. Cortical mechanisms of visual hypersensitivity in women at risk for chronic pelvic pain. Pain. 2022 06 01; 163(6):1035-1048. PMID: 34510138; PMCID: PMC8882209.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    13. Tu F, Hellman K. Primary Dysmenorrhea: Diagnosis and Therapy. Obstet Gynecol. 2021 04 01; 137(4):752. PMID: 33759824; PMCID: PMC8034604.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    14. Wilson SH, Hellman KM, James D, Adler AC, Chandrakantan A. Mechanisms, diagnosis, prevention and management of perioperative opioid-induced hyperalgesia. Pain Manag. 2021 Apr; 11(4):405-417. PMID: 33779215; PMCID: PMC8023328.
      Citations: 16     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Brito KS, Madueke-Laveaux OS, Glass D, Hellman KM, Gao G, Iyer S. Racial Distribution and Characterization of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in a Hospital-Based Subspecialty Clinic. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021 03 01; 27(3):147-150. PMID: 33620896.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Kantarovich D, Dillane KE, Garrison EF, Oladosu FA, Schroer MS, Roth GE, Tu FF, Hellman KM. Development and validation of a real-time method characterizing spontaneous pain in women with dysmenorrhea. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2021 Apr; 47(4):1472-1480. PMID: 33590541; PMCID: PMC8317258.
      Citations: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    17. Kmiecik MJ, Tu FF, Silton RL, Dillane KE, Roth GE, Harte SE, Hellman KM. Cortical Mechanisms of Visual Hypersensitivity in Women at Risk for Chronic Pelvic Pain. medRxiv. 2021 Jan 18. PMID: 33501463; PMCID: PMC7836135.
      Citations:    
    18. Hellman KM, Oladosu FA, Garrison EF, Roth GE, Dillane KE, Tu FF. Circulating sex steroids and bladder pain sensitivity in dysmenorrhea. Mol Pain. 2021 Jan-Dec; 17:17448069211035217. PMID: 34689649; PMCID: PMC8549469.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    19. Oladosu FA, Tu FF, Garrison EF, Dillane KE, Roth GE, Hellman KM. Low Serum Naproxen Concentrations Are Associated with Minimal Pain Relief: A Preliminary Study in Women with Dysmenorrhea. Pain Med. 2020 11 01; 21(11):3102-3108. PMID: 32488234; PMCID: PMC7784249.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    20. Kantarovich D, Vollbrecht HB, Cruz SA, Castillo H, Lee CS, Kushner J, Leng JX, Morgan VK, Hellman KM. Wikipedia: A Medical Student Educational Project to Edit Wikipedia in Preparation for Practicing Evidence-Based Pain Medicine. J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2020 Jan-Dec; 7:2382120520959691. PMID: 33015367; PMCID: PMC7513391.
      Citations: 1     
    21. Hellman KM, Roth GE, Dillane KE, Garrison EF, Oladosu FA, Clauw DJ, Tu FF. Dysmenorrhea subtypes exhibit differential quantitative sensory assessment profiles. Pain. 2020 06; 161(6):1227-1236. PMID: 32168005; PMCID: PMC7230023.
      Citations: 14     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. Oladosu FA, Tu FF, Garfield LB, Garrison EF, Steiner ND, Roth GE, Hellman KM. Low Serum Oxytocin Concentrations Are Associated with Painful Menstruation. Reprod Sci. 2020 02; 27(2):668-674. PMID: 32046441; PMCID: PMC7044072.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    23. Tu FF, Datta A, Atashroo D, Senapati S, Roth G, Clauw DJ, Hellman KM. Clinical profile of comorbid dysmenorrhea and bladder sensitivity: a cross-sectional analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020 06; 222(6):594.e1-594.e11. PMID: 31870730; PMCID: PMC7263950.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. Oladosu FA, Hellman KM, Ham PJ, Kochlefl LE, Datta A, Garrison EF, Steiner ND, Roth GE, Tu FF. Persistent autonomic dysfunction and bladder sensitivity in primary dysmenorrhea. Sci Rep. 2019 02 18; 9(1):2194. PMID: 30778114; PMCID: PMC6379479.
      Citations: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    25. Oladosu FA, Tu FF, Farhan S, Garrison EF, Steiner ND, Roth GE, Hellman KM. Abdominal skeletal muscle activity precedes spontaneous menstrual cramping pain in primary dysmenorrhea. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 07; 219(1):91.e1-91.e7. PMID: 29733841; PMCID: PMC6741772.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Hellman KM, Datta A, Steiner ND, Kane Morlock JN, Garrison EF, Clauw DJ, Tu FF. Identification of experimental bladder sensitivity among dysmenorrhea sufferers. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 07; 219(1):84.e1-84.e8. PMID: 29704486; PMCID: PMC6054462.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    27. Zuckerman RM, Silton RL, Tu FF, Eng JS, Hellman KM. Somatic symptoms in women with dysmenorrhea and noncyclic pelvic pain. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2018 10; 21(5):533-541. PMID: 29525829; PMCID: PMC6126970.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    28. Hellman KM, Kuhn CS, Tu FF, Dillane KE, Shlobin NA, Senapati S, Zhou X, Li W, Prasad PV. Cine MRI during spontaneous cramps in women with menstrual pain. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 05; 218(5):506.e1-506.e8. PMID: 29409786; PMCID: PMC5916049.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    29. Oladosu FA, Tu FF, Hellman KM. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug resistance in dysmenorrhea: epidemiology, causes, and treatment. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 04; 218(4):390-400. PMID: 28888592; PMCID: PMC5839921.
      Citations: 69     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    30. Hellman KM, Yu PY, Oladosu FA, Segel C, Han A, Prasad PV, Jilling T, Tu FF. The Effects of Platelet-Activating Factor on Uterine Contractility, Perfusion, Hypoxia, and Pain in Mice. Reprod Sci. 2018 03; 25(3):384-394. PMID: 28631554.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    31. Tu FF, Kane JN, Hellman KM. Noninvasive experimental bladder pain assessment in painful bladder syndrome. BJOG. 2017 01; 124(2):283-291. PMID: 28012262; PMCID: PMC5571860.
      Citations: 8     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    32. Hellman KM, Tu FF. Reply. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 07; 215(1):132-3. PMID: 26945607.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    33. Rosenbaum J, Kuhn C, Tu FF, Hellman KM. Ultrasonographic Investigation of the Mechanisms Involved in Menstrual Cramps. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2015 Nov-Dec; 22(6S):S16. PMID: 27678901.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    34. Hellman KM, Patanwala IY, Pozolo KE, Tu FF. Multimodal nociceptive mechanisms underlying chronic pelvic pain. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Dec; 213(6):827.e1-9. PMID: 26299416; PMCID: PMC4711364.
      Citations: 16     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    35. Epstein AE, Pozolo KE, Sexton DL, Melnyk AI, Hellman KM, Tu FF. A noninvasive bladder sensory test supports a role for dysmenorrhea increasing bladder noxious mechanosensitivity. Clin J Pain. 2013 Oct; 29(10):883-90. PMID: 23370073; PMCID: PMC3644544.
      Citations: 18     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    36. Westling AM, Tu FF, Griffith JW, Hellman KM. The association of dysmenorrhea with noncyclic pelvic pain accounting for psychological factors. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Nov; 209(5):422.e1-422.e10. PMID: 23973396; PMCID: PMC4191839.
      Citations: 30     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    37. Hellman KM, Mason P. Opioids disrupt pro-nociceptive modulation mediated by raphe magnus. J Neurosci. 2012 Oct 03; 32(40):13668-78. PMID: 23035079; PMCID: PMC3752126.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    38. Tu FF, Hellman KM, Backonja MM. Gynecologic management of neuropathic pain. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Nov; 205(5):435-43. PMID: 21777899; PMCID: PMC3205239.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    
    39. Hellman K, Hernandez P, Park A, Abel T. Genetic evidence for a role for protein kinase A in the maintenance of sleep and thalamocortical oscillations. Sleep. 2010 Jan; 33(1):19-28. PMID: 20120617; PMCID: PMC2802244.
      Citations: 17     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    40. Hellman KM, Mendelson SJ, Mendez-Duarte MA, Russell JL, Mason P. Opioid microinjection into raphe magnus modulates cardiorespiratory function in mice and rats. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2009 Nov; 297(5):R1400-8. PMID: 19710394; PMCID: PMC2777768.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    41. Hellman KM, Brink TS, Mason P. Activity of murine raphe magnus cells predicts tachypnea and on-going nociceptive responsiveness. J Neurophysiol. 2007 Dec; 98(6):3121-33. PMID: 17913977; PMCID: PMC3759357.
      Citations: 8     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    42. Hellman K, Abel T. Fear conditioning increases NREM sleep. Behav Neurosci. 2007 Apr; 121(2):310-23. PMID: 17469920; PMCID: PMC2947315.
      Citations: 23     Fields:    
    43. Brink TS, Hellman KM, Lambert AM, Mason P. Raphe magnus neurons help protect reactions to visceral pain from interruption by cutaneous pain. J Neurophysiol. 2006 Dec; 96(6):3423-32. PMID: 16928792.
      Citations: 9     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    44. Keeley MB, Wood MA, Isiegas C, Stein J, Hellman K, Hannenhalli S, Abel T. Differential transcriptional response to nonassociative and associative components of classical fear conditioning in the amygdala and hippocampus. Learn Mem. 2006 Mar-Apr; 13(2):135-42. PMID: 16547164; PMCID: PMC1409829.
      Citations: 26     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    45. Ouyang M, Hellman K, Abel T, Thomas SA. Adrenergic signaling plays a critical role in the maintenance of waking and in the regulation of REM sleep. J Neurophysiol. 2004 Oct; 92(4):2071-82. PMID: 15190089.
      Citations: 45     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    46. Graves LA, Hellman K, Veasey S, Blendy JA, Pack AI, Abel T. Genetic evidence for a role of CREB in sustained cortical arousal. J Neurophysiol. 2003 Aug; 90(2):1152-9. PMID: 12711709.
      Citations: 43     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    47. Lytton WW, Hellman KM, Sutula TP. Computer models of hippocampal circuit changes of the kindling model of epilepsy. Artif Intell Med. 1998 May; 13(1-2):81-97. PMID: 9654380.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
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