Investigation of the Relationship between Physical Activity Levels and Menstrual Symptoms in Healthy Women

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels and menstrual symptoms in healthy women. Materials and Methods: Healthy women with regular menstruation (n=133, 21.80±2.45 years) included in current study. In the first three days of menstrual cycle, severity of menstrual pain (Visual Analog Scale), menstrual symptoms (Menstruation Symptom Scale (MSS)), and physical activity levels (Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire) were evaluated in these women. Results: Mean duration of women’s menstruation was 5.95±1.68 days, menstrual pain score was 6.22±2.82, total MSS score was 3.36±0.76, and total physical activity score (PAS) was 26.08±26.93 hours*day*MET. There were significant positive correlations between domestic activities PAS and the score of menstrual pain symptoms and between duration of menstruation and pain scores and mean scores on total MSS, negative effects/somatic complaints, menstrual pain symptoms, and coping methods (p