The Effect of Three Ten-Day Courses of Yoga Exercises and Zinc Sulfate Supplementation on Prostaglandin E in Non-athletic Young Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Background: Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is a common health problem in women of reproductive age, affecting the individual’s health, job performance, and quality of life. Objectives: This research investigated the effect of three ten-day yoga courses and zinc sulfate on primary dysmenorrhea in non-athlete girls. Methods: Forty-eight girls (18 to 25 years old) suffering from dysmenorrhea in Karaj participated in this clinical trial. Cluster sampling was used to select the subjects, and they were allocated to four groups: the placebo group, the yoga and placebo group, the zinc sulfate group, and the yoga and zinc sulfate group. Before the research, the serum levels of prostaglandin E were measured in the laboratory using the ELISA method. Then, the yoga training group (from the 22nd day of menstruation to the third day of bleeding for ten days, 45 minutes every day) performed yoga exercises. The exercise program of this research was five asanas. Also, yoga, stretching, strength training, and breathing and relaxation techniques were performed between the asanas training, which mainly involved the abdomen and lower back. Results: The results showed that yoga exercises and zinc sulfate supplementation significantly affected (decreased) the levels of prostaglandin E in non-athlete girls (F1,43 = 17.564, P = 0.001, η = 0.290). Also, exercise alone affected prostaglandin E levels significantly (P < 0.05) compared to other groups. However, the supplement alone did not influence prostaglandin E levels significantly (P > 0.05). In addition, exercises and zinc sulfate supplementation significantly affected anthropometric measures. Conclusions: According to the results, three ten-day yoga exercise programs and zinc sulfate supplements improved primary dysmenorrhea.