Stretching or Core Strengthening Exercises for Managing Primary Dysmenorrhea

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common cyclic pelvic pain affecting quality of life. Incidence of primary dysmenorrhea was reported to be between 20% and 90% in different societies. Women that assigned in sports experienced fewer episodes of symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Several studies have shown that the reduction of dysmenorrhea in women, who regularly exercise may be due to effects of hormonal changes on uterine epithelial tissues or an increase in endorphin levels. It appears that exercise has analgesic effects that act in a non-specific way. Aim of study: To prove that physical exercises can manage primary dysmenorrheal thorough using two types (stretching and core strengthening exercises) and compare between them as regard the intensity and duration of pain. Type of study: This randomized controlled study conducted on 150 females with primary dysmenorrhea attended to zagazig university hospital outpatient clinic. They were randomly assigned to two exercises and one control groups using a computer-generated randomization list. The interference groups were asked to comprehensive either active stretching or core strengthening practice for 8 weeks (4 days per week, 2 times a day, 10 min) at home. Pre-test and two post tests for all the groups were examined for pain intensity using Visual Analog Scale (VAS).and pain duration by hours. Data were entered into SPSS statistical software (v. 20) and analyzed using independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, Mean and Bonferroni Post hoc test. Besides, P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Intensity and duration of pain were significantly reduced in exercise groups (P<0.001) as comparing to control group but no significant differences between readings of post test in both interventions groups. Conclusion: Active stretching or core strengthening exercises seem to be an easy, non-pharmacological method for managing primary dysmenorrhea.