Abstract
Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition affecting women of reproductive age and negatively impacting quality of life. It is characterized by cramping pain in the lower abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs, leading to decreased daily functioning, academic performance, and psychological well-being. In addition to pharmacological treatments, complementary approaches are increasingly used in the management of dysmenorrhea. Yoga, a mind-body exercise that combines physical movement with mental focus, has been suggested as an effective method for reducing stress and pain associated with dysmenorrhea.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of awareness about dysmenorrhea in young women with primary dysmenorrhea and to investigate the effects of a yoga program on pain, quality of life, and menstrual attitudes following an educational session provided to all participants. Pain severity, quality of life, and menstrual attitudes will be assessed using validated questionnaires and scales, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), awareness questionnaire, functional and emotional dysmenorrhea scale, Menstrual Attitude Scale, and quality of life questionnaire.
This study aims to determine whether yoga exercises reduce dysmenorrhea symptoms and improve quality of life in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Additionally, the study is expected to increase awareness about dysmenorrhea and provide evidence for the effectiveness of yoga as a non-pharmacological intervention.
Healthy young women with primary dysmenorrhea
Aged between 18-25 years
Having a regular menstrual cycle (30-35 days)
Menstrual bleeding duration of 3-10 days
Having secondary dysmenorrhea
Participation in regular physical activity or other exercise programs
Use of medication
Diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome
Parallel
Yoga Exercise Program
Other interventionParticipants in the intervention group will receive a structured yoga exercise program. The yoga program will include breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and selected yoga postures targeting the pelvic region. The exercises will be performed regularly for the duration of the study. Pain intensity, quality of life, and menstrual attitudes will be evaluated before and after the intervention.
Pain intensity (VAS)
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess menstrual pain intensity. Participants rated their pain on a 10-cm horizontal line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.
Secondary Outcome Measure: Participant Experiences
A subset of participants from the yoga group participated in semi-structured interviews after the intervention to explore their perceptions and experiences related to therapeutic yoga.
Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale
The Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale (FEDS) is a 14-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess the functional and emotional impact of primary dysmenorrhea. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate greater functional and emotional impairment associated with dysmenorrhea.
Health-Related Quality of Life
Assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).Each domain is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.
Menstrual Attitudes
The Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses attitudes toward menstruation across multiple dimensions. The questionnaire consists of 33 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 33 to 231. Higher scores indicate stronger endorsement of menstrual attitudes represented by the questionnaire. Because the MAQ includes both positively and negatively worded subscales, higher scores should be interpreted according to the direction of each subscale rather than as uniformly better or worse attitudes.
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Ankara University
Lead sponsor
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
Collaborator
