Yoga and Aerobic Exercise Training in Primary Dysmenorrhea

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of aerobic exercise and yoga exercises on menstrual pain parameters (pain severity and duration, analgesic usage), uterine artery blood flow, menstrual stress level, physical fitness, anxiety/depressive symptom level, quality of life and sleep quality in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea. This study is a prospective, parallel group, randomized study. Three days a week for eight weeks, the participants in this study will receive individualized yoga and aerobic exercise.

In the literature, there are no studies comparing the effectiveness of aerobic exercise and yoga in the management of PD, which is a public health problem that seriously affects women's lives. Especially when aerobic exercise and yoga exercises are considered, there is no study on how much the features such as uterine artery blood flow and physical fitness sub-parameters have changed with these two commonly used exercise types separately in the management of PD.

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of aerobic exercise and yoga exercises on menstrual pain parameters (pain severity and duration, analgesic usage), uterine artery blood flow, menstrual stress level, physical fitness, anxiety/depressive symptom level, quality of life and sleep quality in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea. This study is a prospective, parallel group, randomized study.

It was planned to enroll 44 individuals with Primary Dysmenorrhea in this randomized study. A physical therapist is responsible for all assessments.

Participants were included in one of two treatment groups (G1: Aerobic exercise; G2: Yoga exercise).

In the literature, there are no studies comparing the effectiveness of aerobic exercise and yoga in the management of PD, which is a public health problem that seriously affects women's lives. Especially when aerobic exercise and yoga exercises are considered, there is no study on how much the features such as uterine artery blood flow and physical fitness sub-parameters have changed with these two commonly used exercise types separately in the management of PD.

The results of our study show that norm values can be established by evaluating uterine arterial blood flow and physical fitness, instead of focusing on pharmacological treatment and classical nonpharmacological approaches (warm application, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), acupuncture, etc.) in individuals with PD. It is aimed to develop new exercise protocols that can be done easily. It is expected that our results, which we will obtain in the light of the original values of our research, will contribute to the literature and guide future studies.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who do not have any known disease (systemic, metabolic, etc.),
* No complaints of acute or chronic pain other than dysmenorrhea,
* Meeting the primary dysmenorrhea criteria outlined in the Primary Dysmenorrhea Consensus Guide (onset of menstrual pain 6-24 months after menarche, menstrual pain lasting 8-72 hours, and the most severe pain felt on the 1st or 2nd day of menstruation),
* Have a regular menstrual cycle (28± 7 days),
* The severity of menstrual pain in the last 6 months is ≥ 4 cm according to the Visual Analogue Scale,
* 18 years and over,
* Nulligravid (unborn)
* Volunteer female individuals who gave consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals undergoing pelvic surgery,
* Having a history and/or finding of secondary dysmenorrhea,
* Receiving alternative treatment,
* Using intrauterine contraceptive device or birth control pill,
* Individuals with situations where exercise is contraindicated (answering yes to any of the 7 questions on the exercise readiness scale),
* Not complying with the requirements of the research protocol