The effects of regular aerobic exercise on primary dysmenorrhea in young girls

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is a painful syndrome that accompanies the menstrual cycles. The effects of aerobic exercise on primary dysmenorrhea are not well known. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of regular aerobic exercise on primary dysmenorrhea in young girls. Material & Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial of 20 colleagues girl students in Marvdasht city that suffering from severe dysmenorrhea. The subjects were randomly divided into exercise group (n=10) or control group (n=10). The subjects in the exercise group run 10 to 15 × 2 to 5 minute with 75 to 90% of maximum heart rate 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Estrogen and progesterone levels and psychological and physical symptoms of dysmenorrhea were measured before and after the intervention. Moo’s Menstrual Distress Questionnaire was used to evaluate psychological and physical symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Results: Physical premenstrual symptoms were significantly reduced (12.6 ± 3.2 vs. 7.1 ± 4.6) and estrogen levels were significantly increased (7.4 ± 4.4 vs. 9.4 ± 3.1 ng/ml) after the intervention compare to the control group. For psychological premenstrual symptoms (11.4 ± 7.6 vs. 11.9 ± 6.1) and progesterone levels (7.4 ± 6.4 vs. 7.5 ± 5.1 ng/ml) no significant changes were observed in response to 8 weeks aerobic exercise. Conclusions: The results suggested that selected aerobic exercises positively influenced physical menstrual symptoms and its related hormones.