Study on the effect of yoga on menstrual cramps

Ponlapat Yonglitthipagon et al.

February 2017

Women's health / Menopause

Yoga for women

The aim of the present study at Khon Kaen University was to investigate the effect of a specially developed yoga program on menstrual pain, physical fitness and quality of life in non-athletic women aged 18 to 22 years with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

Thirty-four volunteers were randomly assigned to a control and a yoga group. Menstrual pain, physical fitness and quality of life were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 12-week study period. The yoga group was instructed to practice yoga at home for 30 minutes twice a week over a 12-week period , while the control group received no form of exercise.

The results showed that menstrual pain, physical fitness and quality of life improved significantly in the yoga group compared to the control group. Therefore, this specially developed yoga program could be a possible complementary treatment for PD.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Menstrual cramps
Institution: School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Title: Study on the effect of yoga on menstrual cramps
Brief description: The study shows: Yoga reduces menstrual pain and improves fitness and quality of life in young women.
Original title: Effect of yoga on the menstrual pain, physical fitness, and quality of life of young women with primary dysmenorrhea
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29037637/