Self-management of primary dysmenorrhea-related pain: cross-sectional study on non-pharmacological interventions
Creators: name: Rodrigues, Jéssica Cordeiro
name: de Arruda, Guilherme Tavares
name: de Moraes, Pâmela Calixto
name: Firão, Caren Beatriz
name: Avila, Mariana Arias
name: Driusso, Patricia
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Mathematical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Science Policy
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: <b>Aim:</b> Different nonpharmacological strategies are adopted to decrease primary dysmenorrhea (PD)-related pain. The present study aimed to verify women's use of nonpharmacological methods for pain and compare them with evidence from the literature. <b>Materials &amp; methods:</b> A two-step study was conducted, comprising an online survey with 9144 women to assess nonpharmacological strategies for relieving PD-related pain, and a literature review on PubMed of verify the evidence of nonpharmacological methods. <b>Results:</b> Many women reported using heat therapy (61.5%), tea (42.4%) and massage (30.9%) to alleviate menstrual pain. However, the literature on these methods is limited. <b>Conclusion:</b> Several nonpharmacological methods are used by women to relieve PD-related pain and studies with low bias risk are needed to prove their effectiveness. This article explores how women manage menstrual pain, known as primary dysmenorrhea (PD), using non-drug methods. The study investigates the common self-care techniques women employ to ease their pain and compares these practices with scientific evidence. The study found that many women use non-drug methods such as heat therapy (61.5%), tea (42.4%) and massage (30.9%) to relieve menstrual pain. Despite their popularity, sometimes the scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of these methods is limited. These results indicate that while women frequently use various self-care methods to manage menstrual pain, there is a need for more high-quality scientific studies to confirm whether these methods are truly effective. This highlights a gap between common practices and scientific effectiveness. Prevalence and evidence of non-pharmacological methods: many women use non-drug methods to manage primary dysmenorrhea-related pain, but there is limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Implications for practice: understanding these methods can help inform healthcare providers about common self-management strategies used by women, highlighting the importance of further research to validate their effectiveness and provide evidence-based recommendations for pain management. Limited effectiveness of pharmacological methods: only 13.4% of women with PD achieved complete pain relief using pharmacological treatments. Sample size: findings from this study, while based on a large sample size, may not be fully generalizable across all regions due to Brazil's size and cultural diversity. However, the extensive sample size enabled a thorough exploration of various non-pharmacological interventions, offering valuable insights into the prevalence and effectiveness of these methods among Brazilian women. Cultural and societal influences: cultural and socioeconomic factors influence the choice of PD pain management methods. The diverse cultural landscape and socioeconomic disparities within Brazil can significantly impact women's access to and preference for certain pain management strategies. For example, traditional cultural beliefs and practices may influence the acceptance and utilization of non-pharmacological interventions, while economic constraints may limit access to certain treatments. Call for comprehensive research: there is a need for more high-quality research to evaluate the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for primary dysmenorrhea, which could lead to the development of better, evidence-based pain management strategies for women. Patient education: educating women about the variety of available pain management options, including non-pharmacological methods, can empower them to make informed decisions about their health and improve their overall management of primary dysmenorrhea. Impact on quality of life: the study highlights the significant impact of primary dysmenorrhea on women's quality of life, emphasizing the need for effective pain management strategies to improve daily functioning and overall well-being.