Objective: To compare the effects of aerobic and stretching exercises on severity of primary dysmenorrhea.
Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 105 female students who were
suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. The participants were divided into aerobic exercise, stretching
exercise, and control groups. The two intervention groups did the exercises three times a week for eight
weeks (two menstrual cycles). The intensity of dysmenorrhea was determined using a modified
questionnaire that assessed several symptoms of dysmenorrhea. After all, the data were compared
between and within groups through analysis of variance.
Results: Before the intervention, the mean intensity of dysmenorrhea was 40.38 ± 5.5, 37.40 ± 3.8, and
38.45±3.3 in aerobic, stretching, and control groups, respectively, but the difference was not
statistically significant. After the intervention, however, a significant difference was found among the
three groups regarding the mean intensity of dysmenorrhea in the first and second menstrual cycles.
Also, a significant difference was observed between the aerobic group and the control group as well as
between the stretching group and the control group. Within group comparisons showed a significant
difference in the aerobic and the stretching group before and after the interventions. However, no such
difference was observed in control group.
Conclusion: Both aerobic and stretching exercises were effective in reducing the severity of dysmenorrhea.
Therefore, women could choose one of these two methods with regard to their interest and lifestyle
