title: Comparison of the Effect of Stretching Exercises and Mefenamic Acid on the Reduction of Pain and Menstruation Characteristics in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecologic disorder. Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used, due to their side effects and lack of response in some individuals, other approaches such as exercise have been considered. This study compared the effect of stretching exercises and mefenamic acid on the reduction of pain and menstruation characteristics in primary dysmenorrhea.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized clinical trial, 122 female students with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea were assessed and were placed in either the exercise or mefenamic acid group. The exercise program was performed for 15 minutes, three times a week and included a five-minute warm up and six belly and pelvic stretching exercises for 10 minutes. The mefenamic acid group received 250 mg capsules every eight hours from the onset of menstruation until pain relief. Both interventions were performed during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Pain intensity was measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean pain intensity was significantly higher in the exercise group only in the first cycle (p =0.058). In the second cycle, the mean difference in pain reduction in the exercise group was higher than the mefenamic group compared to the start of the study (p =0.056) and the first cycle (p =0.007). There was no significant difference in the severity and duration of pain between the groups (p> 0.050).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stretching exercises were as effective as mefenamic acid in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Our results suggest that the effect of exercise on relieving menstruation pain increases over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Motahari-Tabari
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Marjan Ahmad
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shirvani
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alipour
keywords: Dysmenorrhea; Mefenamic Acid; Menstruation; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Pain