Abstract
Background: Dysmenorrhea is one of the common complaints in women. Globally, the reported prevalence rate is 90%. Sometimes the pain intensity is so severe that it may depict labour contractions. Hence, it greatly affects the productivity of women and causes socioeconomic lose. To subside such pain, over the counter medications are widely used, regardless of its systemic side effects. This study was conducted to estimate the extent to which women are affected with dysmenorrhea and to compare the effectiveness of Taping and Hydrotherapy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
 Methodology: A survey-based quasi experimental single blinded, two- stage study with pre-test and post-test design was conducted. Fifty menstruating women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea of grade 2 or 3 between the age group of 15 to 25 years were recruited and divided into two groups with 25 females in each group. Females with any severe co-morbidity, abdominal surgery within past 2 years, intrauterine contraceptive devices, any skin lesions (scar, cyst or erosions) or who have recently conceived were excluded from the study sample. Females in taping group received treatment 2 days prior to menstruation which then continued till the first day of cycle. The hydrotherapy group was treated with 30 minutes session for 2 days a week, during non-menstruating phase. Data was collected using a Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) and Verbal Multidimensional Scoring System (VMSS) to estimate the frequency of dysmenorrhea, specifically primary dysmenorrhea in our society. To assess the effectiveness of the intervention, Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) was completed before and after the intervention. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS ver. 22.0.
 Results: The survey revealed 92.4% of women were suffering from dysmenorrhea out of which 64% were primary dysmenorrheic. A significant decline was observed in Pain Rating Index (PRI) before and after intervention i.e. the mean PRI prior to the intervention was 29.53±2.53 for the taping group and 29.4±3.18 for the hydrotherapy group while after intervention it decreased up to 4.33±0.61 in taping and 4.26±0.7 in hydrotherapy group. Whereas, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) means before intervention were 8.53±1.06 and 8.73±1.03 for taping and hydrotherapy group respectively. Which then decreased to 3.93±1.03 and 5.2±1.52 for the two groups. The mean Present Pain Intensity (PPI) scores were 4.33±0.61 in taping and 4.26±0.7 in hydrotherapy group and reduced to 1.66±0.81 and 2.26±1.57.
 Conclusion: The study findings proclaimed that taping technique was found more effective in decreasing the painful cramps in women with primary dysmenorrhea as compared to the hydrotherapy.
Highlights
The monthly distress faced by most of the women of reproductive age is dysmenorrhea i.e. painful menstruation[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]
Dysmenorrhea features negative effect on the health related quality of life, social aspects, intellect, moods, concentration, sleep and sports activities of numerous female teenagers1, 14, 18, . 23&26 It is reported to be the primary cause of absenteeism from work and school1, 14, 18, . 23&26 In studies including dysmenorrheic women, the rate of absenteeism and social withdrawal was observed up to 50% . 1, 3, 7, 20, 23, 24, 25&31 These results revealed that dysmenorrhea has tremendous impact on educational outcomes and productivity of women at workplaces2, 3, . 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 25&27 It is evident from Pakistani studies that due to severe cramps young ladies come up short to perform their everyday activities in the midst of the monthly cycle[18]
One of the study was to survey the approximate percentage of dysmenorrhea in general population of menstruating women which was evaluated using a structured questionnaire, MSQ30 and VMS31
Summary
The monthly distress faced by most of the women of reproductive age is dysmenorrhea i.e. painful menstruation[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. 17&23 Primary dysmenorrhea is mostly reported after 6 to 24 months of menstrual onset1,3&7 It is characterized as difficult, fitful cramping in the lower stomach area1,2,4,11,14,21,24&25 with a knowable sequential pattern starting just prior to and amid feminine cycle1,3,7,9,11&21.The pain typically goes on for 8 hours to 3 days and is felt mostly extreme in the middle of the first or second day of the monthly cycle which may emanate to the lower back and thighs1,3,7,11,18,24&25. This study was conducted to estimate the extent to which women are affected with dysmenorrhea and to compare the effectiveness of Taping and Hydrotherapy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Conclusion: The study findings proclaimed that taping technique was found more effective in decreasing the painful cramps in women with primary dysmenorrhea as compared to the hydrotherapy
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