Effectiveness of a Yoga-Based Intervention in Reducing Menstrual Pain and Anxiety among Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background:Primary dysmenorrhea, characterized by painful menstruation without underlying pelvic pathology, often disrupts the quality of life and is commonly associated with elevated anxiety levels. Non-pharmacological approaches like yoga have shown promise, yet evidence remains limited. Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured yoga-based intervention on menstrual pain and anxiety in women diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods:A total of 60 women with clinically diagnosed primary dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group underwent an 8-week structured yoga program, while the control group received no intervention. Pre- and post-intervention measures included anxiety (measured via self-report) and menstrual pain (measured via VAS). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results:At baseline, no significant differences were found between the groups for anxiety (p = 0.889) or menstrual pain (p = 0.590). Post-intervention results showed significant reductions in both anxiety (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001) in the yoga group compared to controls. Conclusion:Yoga significantly alleviates menstrual pain and anxiety in women with primary dysmenorrhea. These findings support the integration of yoga into holistic menstrual health management.