Comparison of Physical Activity, Quality of Life and Menstrual Symptoms by Menstrual Pain Intensity in Turkish Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare physical activity level, quality of life (QoL), and menstrual symptoms by pain intensity in Turkish women with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: Women with primary dysmenorrhea (n = 333) were assigned to three groups based on pain intensity. Physical and demographic characteristics were asked. Pain intensity, physical activity level and QoL were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-7 (IPAQ-7) and Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), respectively. The menstrual symptoms was recorded. Results: IPAQ-7 scores did not show significant difference among three groups (p > 0.05). Physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, role limitations because of emotional and physical problems scores of SF-36 in the severe-pain group were lower than in the mild-pain group (p < 0.05). Physical functioning and bodily pain scores of SF-36 in the moderate-pain group were lower than in the mild-pain group (p < 0.05). Role limitations because of emotional problems and bodily pain scores of SF-36 in the moderate-pain group were higher than in the severe-pain group (p < 0.05). Severe-pain group had a greater number of menstrual symptoms than other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was observed that there was no difference between physical activity level and menstrual pain intensities in Turkish women having primary dysmenorrhea. In addition, women with higher menstrual pain intensity had lower QoL and higher frequency of menstrual symptoms. Therefore, these parameters should be considered for management of primary dysmenorrhea.