Management of dysmenorrhea through yoga: A narrative review Original paper

What was studied?

This narrative review focused on the use of yoga as a complementary therapy for managing dysmenorrhea, a condition characterized by painful menstrual cramps. The review examined various yoga techniques, including asanas, pranayama (breathing exercises), and yoga nidra (deep relaxation), assessing their impact on reducing pain, stress, and improving overall well-being in women with primary dysmenorrhea. The authors conducted an extensive search of the literature, analyzing 10 studies involving different forms of yoga to determine the effectiveness of these practices in alleviating menstrual pain and associated symptoms.

Who was studied?

The review included studies involving women with primary dysmenorrhea, a condition that affects a significant number of menstruating women, causing lower abdominal cramps and pain, often radiating to the back and thighs. The participants varied in age, but the studies primarily focused on young women, including adolescents and college-aged females, who self-reported menstrual pain. The studies included in the review used a range of yoga interventions, including specific asanas (physical postures), pranayama, and yoga nidra, practiced over various durations, from a few weeks to several months, and compared their effects to control groups or baseline measurements.

Most important findings

The review highlighted that yoga interventions, particularly asanas and pranayama, provided significant relief from dysmenorrhea symptoms, including pain intensity and duration. Notably, yoga practices such as Surya namaskar, Bhujangasana, Marjariasana, and Matsyasana, combined with relaxation and meditation techniques, led to a marked reduction in pain intensity and improved overall menstrual health. The practice of pranayama, which focuses on controlled breathing, showed improvements in pain tolerance by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing pain perception, and enhancing relaxation. Yoga nidra, a deep relaxation technique, also proved effective in reducing menstrual distress and improving quality of life, likely by reducing stress and regulating hormonal imbalances associated with dysmenorrhea.

Key implications

The findings of this review suggest that yoga, as a non-pharmacological intervention, can serve as an effective complementary therapy for managing primary dysmenorrhea. The holistic approach of yoga, which combines physical postures, controlled breathing, and mental relaxation, addresses both the physiological and psychological aspects of menstrual pain. Yoga can offer a low-cost, accessible, and safe alternative for women who experience menstrual pain but prefer to avoid or reduce reliance on medication. The reduction in pain and improvement in quality of life observed in the studies make yoga a promising adjunct to conventional treatments for dysmenorrhea. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodology are needed to establish definitive conclusions.