Effect of Exercise and Omega-3 Supplements on the Quality of Life of Young Female Patients With Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Primary dysmenorrhea, prevalent among women of reproductive age, manifests as menstrual pain and discomfort localized in the lower abdomen. This study aimed to observe the effect of exercise, omega-3 fatty acids, and the clubbing of exercise and omega-3 supplements on primary dysmenorrhea. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving young female patients. We assessed a cohort of 72 female patients, aged 18 to 25 years, to determine the effects of exercise and omega-3 fatty acids on primary dysmenorrhea. Parameters such as visual analog scale (VAS) scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and complete blood count (CBC) parameters were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results At baseline, no statistically significant differences were detected among the four groups (control, exercise, omega-3, and combined exercise plus omega-3) regarding VAS scores (p=0.605), CRP levels (p=0.164), hemoglobin levels (p=0.104), or platelet counts (p=0.949). Nevertheless, significant differences were identified in ESR (p=0.002) and total leukocyte count (TLC) (p<0.001). The omega-3 group exhibited elevated levels of ESR and TLC, particularly in conjunction with the combined exercise and omega-3 intervention. Following 12 weeks of intervention, notable enhancements were recorded across various parameters. The VAS scores demonstrated a statistically significant reduction across all groups (p=0.023), with the most pronounced alleviation observed in the cohort receiving both exercise and omega-3 supplementation, thereby suggesting an enhanced efficacy in pain relief. Additionally, CRP levels revealed significant intergroup variances (p=0.016), with the exercise group exhibiting the lowest recorded levels. The TLC remained significantly different between the groups (p<0.001), with consistently elevated levels in the omega-3 group and diminished levels in the combined intervention group. Conversely, no statistically significant alterations were detected in ESR (p=0.086), hemoglobin (p=0.077), or platelet counts (p=0.871) at the conclusion of the 12-week evaluation. Conclusion A notable reduction in the intensity of menstrual pain, as quantified by the VAS, an indicator of systemic inflammation, was observed with omega-3 supplementation and exercise. Moreover, the reduction in the ESR and CRP levels also implied that the implemented interventions may have facilitated an anti-inflammatory response.