Exercise for dysmenorrhoea Original paper
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
-
Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
-
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is painful menstrual cramps without underlying pelvic pathology, predominantly caused by elevated prostaglandins inducing uterine contractions and ischemia. Managing primary dysmenorrhea (PD) requires understanding its complex mechanisms involving prostaglandins, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Treatments include NSAIDs, hormonal therapies, and promising complementary options like probiotics, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and massage, significantly improving women's quality of life.
-
Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was reviewed?
This Cochrane systematic review and meta‑analysis evaluated the effectiveness and safety of structured exercise interventions for primary dysmenorrhea by synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials comparing various exercise modalities, including low‑intensity (e.g., yoga, stretching), high‑intensity (e.g., aerobic routines), and mixed‑intensity programs, against no‑treatment controls and non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The authors searched multiple electronic databases up to July 2019 and applied rigorous selection and bias‑assessment procedures per the Cochrane Handbook.
Who was reviewed?
The analysis incorporated 12 RCTs enrolling a total of 854 women aged 15–49 years with clinically diagnosed primary dysmenorrhea (i.e., menstrual pain without underlying pelvic pathology). Ten trials (n = 754) contributed pain‑intensity data: nine contrasted exercise with no treatment, and one compared exercise to mefenamic acid. Participants reported moderate‑to‑severe menstrual pain affecting daily activities, and studies spanned educational and outpatient settings across diverse geographic regions.
Most important findings
Pooled data from nine trials (n = 632) demonstrated that exercise significantly reduced menstrual pain intensity, equating to a clinically meaningful 25 mm decrease on a 100 mm visual analogue scale compared to no exercise. This effect remained robust in sensitivity analyses, with both low‑ and high‑intensity regimens yielding substantial pain relief. Secondary outcomes, overall menstrual symptoms, rescue analgesic use, and quality‑of‑life metrics, were sparsely and inconsistently reported, precluding definitive conclusions. Importantly, none of the included trials assessed shifts in gut or uterine microbiome composition or correlations between microbial signatures and exercise response, underscoring a critical evidence gap for microbiome‑informed dysmenorrhea management.
Key implications
Clinicians can confidently recommend regular exercise, ideally 45–60 minutes per session, three or more times per week, as an accessible, low‑risk intervention for menstrual pain relief. The absence of microbiome data highlights the need for future research integrating microbial profiling to elucidate how exercise‑induced anti‑inflammatory effects may interact with host–microbiome dynamics, potentially refining personalized treatment strategies.