Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on menstrual distress in primary dysmenorrhic women

Abstract

Background Primary dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual cramp that is recurrent and is not owing to other diseases and is a common cause of stay at home and school or work. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on menstrual distress in primary dysmenorrheic women. Patients and methods A total of 40 women having primary dysmenorrhea were selected from Physical Therapy Department in Al Mataria Teaching Hospital in Cairo. Their ages ranged from 20 to 30 years. They were divided randomly into two groups equal in number: group A (study group), treated with the PEMF, three times/week for 3 months, with each session lasted for 30 min, in addition to medical treatment, and group B (control group, which received medical treatment only (NSAIDs). Menstrual distress questionnaire and visual analog scale were used for assessment of menstrual distress and pain before treatment and after treatment for both groups A and B. Results The results showed that there is a significant improvement in menstrual distress and pain scores in both groups A and B after treatment, in favor of group A. Conclusion It was concluded that PEMF is effective in improving dysmenorrheic pain and menstrual distress score.