Physical activity level in women with primary dysmenorrhea: A cross-sectional observational study.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD), menstrual pain in the absence of pathology, is the main cause of gynecological consultation in young women. There are many studies that suggest a possible relationship between a low level of physical activity (PA) and a greater intensity of menstrual pain, and others that find no relationship between these variables.

Objectives: To identify the level of PA and menstrual pain intensity among women with PD, as well as the relationship between these variables.

Design: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out on a cohort of adult population.

Methods: Data collection instrument was an online self-administered questionnaire. Main variables were pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale; McGill Pain Questionnaire, short version) and PA level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire).

Results: A total number of 216 responses from the total responses obtained were considered PD cases. A 38% of women did not perform any intense PA during the last 7 days, and a 32.4% did not perform any moderate PA. No significant differences were found in menstrual pain intensity during the three last menstruations among women who performed PA, moderate, or intense. Nor were significant differences found between women who performed PA less than 3 days a week, compared with those ones who did it at least three times a week, or more.

Conclusion: Menstrual pain intensity does not differ between the types of PA. A large number of participants did not perform any PA in the last 7 days.