Empowering Women: Pilates as a Holistic Approach to Alleviate Dysmenorrhea Symptoms: A Systemic Review

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea, characterised by painful menstrual cramps, is a prevalent condition affecting a significant portion of the female population worldwide. Despite its common occurrence, the management of dysmenorrhea often remains inadequate, with reliance on pharmacological interventions that may offer temporary relief but come with potential side effects and long-term consequences. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of pilates as a holistic approach to alleviate dysmenorrhea symptoms, with the goal of empowering women in managing their menstrual health more effectively. Materials and Methods: The study’s literature review spanned several databases—PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar—complemented by manual reference list searches. The search strategy incorporated keywords such as “Pilates,” “dysmenorrhea,” “menstrual pain management,” and “nonpharmacological interventions for dysmenorrhea.” This approach yielded 98 articles, from which six full-text available articles, published from 2014 to January 2024, were selected for their insights into the pilates-dysmenorrhea nexus. This research engaged women diagnosed with dysmenorrhea, with pre- and post-intervention assessments measuring pain levels and physical function using standardised tools. Results: Preliminary outcomes indicate a marked reduction in menstrual pain and an enhancement in physical function among participants undertaking pilates exercises, compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: Pilates exercises offer a holistic and comprehensive management strategy for dysmenorrhea, addressing both its physical and psychological dimensions. The study affirms pilates as an effective, non invasive way to ease dysmenorrhea symptoms.