A recently published scientific research article¹ has highlighted the benefits of the use of cryotherapy for young women who suffer from primary dysmenorrhea.

What is Primary Dysmenorrhea?

Primary Dysmenorrhea is the recurrence of painful menstrual cramps which occur in the lower abdomen during menstruation. The condition is not connected to any other underlying health conditions such as endometriosis, but, in many cases, can still be very debilitating.

The Research

The objective of the study was to evaluate cryotherapy’s effectiveness for relieving the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea in sedentary youth.  To measure cryotherapy’s success, as a treatment method, a visual analogue scale and the Brazilian Version of the Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire were used.

The participants were randomly separated into two groups – a control group who would not undergo treatment and a second group who would undergo treatment. The treatment and evaluations were carried out during the menstrual cycle.  Those undergoing cryotherapy, received the treatment three times, over a three-day period.  

The study found, the control group showed a natural reduction of pain when comparing the 1^st and 4^th day of assessment, whereas those who underwent cryotherapy showed a daily reduction in pain. The results also indicated cryotherapy provided a reduction of interference in sleep dysmenorrhea.

The results indicate cryotherapy was effective in reducing primary dysmenorrhea pain, also indicating clinical improvement in daily living activities.

The research into primary dysmenorrhea and cryotherapy was conducted by experts from;

• The department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE), Cascavel, Brazil.
• Bioscience and Health Postgraduate Program, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE), Cascavel, Brazil.

¹Cryotherapy Produces Pain Relief in Young People with Primary Dysmenorrhea (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34129396/)

Graziele Diniz Silvaⁱ, Natyeli Alexsievena Henrichsen Canovaⁱ, Polyana Bortoletto^i, Maria Luiza Serradourada Wutzkeⁱⁱ, Francyelle Dos Santos Soaresⁱⁱ, Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertoliniⁱⁱ

ⁱDepartment of Physical Therapy, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE), Cascavel, Brazil.

ⁱⁱBioscience and Health Posgraduate Program, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE), Cascavel, Brazil.