Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is the most common menstrual disorder and is defined as painful menstruation. This health problem reduces the quality of life of more than 70% of women who suffer from it, so the main objectives of this review were to assess whether physical exercise was safe for these women and, knowing its effects on PD, compare the different exercises or training methods by analyzing which are the most effective. In this paper, articles from the PubMed database were reviewed, selecting those written in Spanish and English that were no more than 5 years old and choosing intervention studies to perform the analysis. In addition, the information was completed with the website of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Interventions pointed to physical exercise as a positive treatment for PD. The most significant improvements were obtained in the pain and intensity of menstruation. There were also reductions in menstrual distress, duration of pain and painkillers consumed, as well as improvements in quality of life. It is concluded that regular physical exercise is a safe and effective method to reduce the symptoms caused by PD. Long-term exercise will also have beneficial effects in the long run, further reducing these symptoms and improving the overall health of the person. In addition, it should be noted that this treatment does not generate side effects in the body. Aerobic exercise seems to be the most effective training method for dysmenorrhea symptoms, followed by some stretching exercises or yoga.
Source: MLS Sport Research
Authors: Millares Samperio, María, Pardo, Andrea
Institution: Universidad Europea del Atlántico
Language: Spanish
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7217272989