Abstract:

The aim of this research was to compare spinal posture, mobility and body image perception between healthy women and women with primary dysmenorrhoea. A total of 120 women, 57 healthy and 63 with Primary dysmenorrhoea, were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 22 years in the group with primary dysmenorrhoea and 21 years in the healthy group; BMI results were 23.05 and 21.45, respectively. Participants' pain severity, attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual symptoms, physical activity levels and body image perceptions were assessed with the corresponding questionnaires. Participants' spinal posture and mobility were assessed with Spinal Mouse device. In our study, pain score of women with Primary dysmenorrhoea was higher than healthy women (p<0.001). Sacrum-hip angle (p=0.005), inclination angle (p=0.014) and mobility of these regions ((p=0.006), (p=0.001)) were lower in the Primary dysmenorrhoea group compared with the healthy group. Menstrual symptoms were more severe in women with Primary dysmenorrhoea (p<0.001) and their attitudes towards menstruation were more negative (p=0.013, p=0.003, p=0.034, p=0.023, p<0.001, p<0.001). Physical activity levels (p=0.294) and body image perceptions of Primary dysmenorrhoea and healthy women were similar (p=0.225). As a result we found that the spinal posture and mobility of women with Primary dysmenorrhoea differed negatively from healthy women and that they approached menstruation cognitively worse. These results may be important for women with Primary dysmenorrhoea to be aware of their own bodies. We think that women with Primary dysmenorrhoea should be educated about this issue.

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