Exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea: A narrative review
Dysmenorrhea, commonly known as menstrual pain, is characterized by painful uterine cramps during menstruation and significantly impacts a woman’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Elevated prostaglandin levels cause dysrhythmic uterine contractions, reducing blood flow, leading to uterine hyp...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Yoga-Mimamsa |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ym.ym_20_24 |
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| author | Meenakshi Saraf Anuja Rawat |
| author_facet | Meenakshi Saraf Anuja Rawat |
| author_sort | Meenakshi Saraf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dysmenorrhea, commonly known as menstrual pain, is characterized by painful uterine cramps during menstruation and significantly impacts a woman’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Elevated prostaglandin levels cause dysrhythmic uterine contractions, reducing blood flow, leading to uterine hypoxia, and producing anaerobic metabolites that activate pain receptors. This study aims to review the effectiveness of yoga as an alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. A search of English-language literature published from 2010 to 2023 was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar using keywords “Yoga” AND “Menstrual Pain” OR “Dysmenorrhea.” The inclusion criteria were limited to randomized controlled trials examining the impact of yoga on dysmenorrhea symptoms. From 111 identified studies, 6 met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The review investigates yoga’s potential to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea’s physical and mental health effects. The literature indicates that yoga, including asanas, pranayama, and Yoga Nidra, is effective in reducing dysmenorrhea symptoms. Findings suggest that various yoga practices can significantly reduce menstrual pain and discomfort, improving overall health outcomes. However, the reviewed studies have limitations, such as small sample sizes and variations in study design. To establish yoga as an evidence-based solution for menstrual health issues, further research with rigorous scientific methods and larger sample sizes is needed. More high-quality trials focusing on a yogic approach are necessary to confirm yoga’s effectiveness as a primary management option for women with primary dysmenorrhea. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1c23bb38010345fca69890688b61f351 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0044-0507 2394-2487 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Yoga-Mimamsa |
| spelling | doaj-art-1c23bb38010345fca69890688b61f3512025-01-16T08:54:28ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsYoga-Mimamsa0044-05072394-24872024-12-0156210110710.4103/ym.ym_20_24Exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea: A narrative reviewMeenakshi SarafAnuja RawatDysmenorrhea, commonly known as menstrual pain, is characterized by painful uterine cramps during menstruation and significantly impacts a woman’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Elevated prostaglandin levels cause dysrhythmic uterine contractions, reducing blood flow, leading to uterine hypoxia, and producing anaerobic metabolites that activate pain receptors. This study aims to review the effectiveness of yoga as an alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. A search of English-language literature published from 2010 to 2023 was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar using keywords “Yoga” AND “Menstrual Pain” OR “Dysmenorrhea.” The inclusion criteria were limited to randomized controlled trials examining the impact of yoga on dysmenorrhea symptoms. From 111 identified studies, 6 met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The review investigates yoga’s potential to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea’s physical and mental health effects. The literature indicates that yoga, including asanas, pranayama, and Yoga Nidra, is effective in reducing dysmenorrhea symptoms. Findings suggest that various yoga practices can significantly reduce menstrual pain and discomfort, improving overall health outcomes. However, the reviewed studies have limitations, such as small sample sizes and variations in study design. To establish yoga as an evidence-based solution for menstrual health issues, further research with rigorous scientific methods and larger sample sizes is needed. More high-quality trials focusing on a yogic approach are necessary to confirm yoga’s effectiveness as a primary management option for women with primary dysmenorrhea.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ym.ym_20_24alternative therapydysmenorrheamenstrual painyogayogic practice |
| spellingShingle | Meenakshi Saraf Anuja Rawat Exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea: A narrative review Yoga-Mimamsa alternative therapy dysmenorrhea menstrual pain yoga yogic practice |
| title | Exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea: A narrative review |
| title_full | Exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea: A narrative review |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea: A narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea: A narrative review |
| title_short | Exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea: A narrative review |
| title_sort | exploring the effects of yoga on dysmenorrhea a narrative review |
| topic | alternative therapy dysmenorrhea menstrual pain yoga yogic practice |
| url | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ym.ym_20_24 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT meenakshisaraf exploringtheeffectsofyogaondysmenorrheaanarrativereview AT anujarawat exploringtheeffectsofyogaondysmenorrheaanarrativereview |