Comparison of the effect of stretching exercises and mefenamic acid on the reduction of pain and menstruation characteristics in primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecologic disorder. Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used, due to their side effects and lack of response in some individuals, other approaches such as exercise have been considered. This study compared the effect of stretching exercises and mefenamic acid on the reduction of pain and menstruation characteristics in primary dysmenorrhea

Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 122 female students with moderate to severe dysmenorrheal were assessed and were placed in either the exercise or mefenamic acid group. The exercise program was performed for 15 minutes, three times a week and included a five-minute warm up and six belly and pelvic stretching exercises for 10 minutes. The mefenamic acid group received 250 mg capsules every eight hours from the onset of menstruation until pain relief. Both interventions were performed during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Pain intensity was measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale

Results: The mean pain intensity was significantly higher in the exercise group only in the first cycle [p = 0.058]. In the second cycle, the mean difference in pain reduction in the exercise group was higher than the mefenamic group compared to the start of the study [p = 0.056] and the first cycle [p = 0.007]. There was no significant difference in the severity and duration of pain between the groups [p > 0.050]

Conclusions: Stretching exercises were as effective as mefenamic acid in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Our results suggest that the effect of exercise on relieving menstruation pain increases over time

Use of ginger versus stretching exercises for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecologic problem. In some cases, non-medical treatments are considered to be more effective, with fewer side effects. Ginger and exercise are alternative treatments for dysmenorrhea, but in the present study they were not combined.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In this study, the effects of ginger and exercise on primary dysmenorrhea were compared.</p><p><b>DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS</b>This randomized controlled trial was performed in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Two groups of female students were recruited by simple random allocation. In each group, 61 students with moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea with regular menstrual cycles and without a history of regular exercise were assessed. The ginger group received 250 mg ginger capsules from the onset of menstruation. In the exercise group, belly and pelvic stretching exercises were performed for 10 min, 3 times per week.</p><p><b>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES</b>Intensity of pain was assessed according to a visual analogue scale after the first and the second month.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exercise was significantly more effective than ginger for pain relief (31.57 ± 16.03 vs 38.19 ± 20.47, P = 0.02), severity of dysmenorrhea (63.9% vs 44.3% mild dysmenorrhea, P = 0.02) and decrease in menstrual duration (6.08 ± 1.22 vs 6.67 ± 1.24, P = 0.006), in the second cycle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Stretching exercises, as a safe and low-cost treatment, are more effective than ginger for pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>The trial was registered in www.IRCT.ir with No. 201203118822N2.</p>