N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and physical exercise have the potential to reduce pain intensity in women with primary dysmenorrhea: Systematic Review

• Published in: Retos (Madrid) 2023-01, Vol.48, p.106-112
• Main Authors: Gusti Handayani, Sri, Ayubi, Novadri, Komaini, Anton, Lesmana, Heru Syarli, Kusnanik, Nining Widyah, Herawati, Lilik, Ardha, Muchamad Arif Al, Nurhasan, Nurhasan, Kafrawi, Fatkur Rohman, Putri, Dhea Regita Sastika, Ardi Kusuma, Donny, Putra, Ardo Yulpiko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dismenore Primer; Menstrual Pain; N-3 PUAs; Physical Exercise
• ISSN: 1579-1726; 1988-2041
• DOI: 10.47197/retos.v48.96629

This review aims to highlight the potential of n-3 PUFAs and physical exercise in reducing pain intensity in women with primary dysmenorrhea. This type of research is a systematic review using comprehensive strategies such as searching for articles in research journal databases. The databases used are Pubmed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. The populations analyzed in this paper are: the potential of n-3 PUFAs and physical exercise to reduce primary dysmenorrhea. The inclusion criteria in this study were journals that discussed n-3 PUFAs, exercise, primary dysmenorrhea, and menstrual pain. The exclusion criteria in this study were disreputable international journals. For standard operationalization, This study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). This review explains that N-3 PUFAs given at the right dose, around 1000 mg/day have the potential to reduce pain intensity by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids. In addition, N-3 PUFAs have the potential to prevent and reduce pain intensity by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. Progesterone is very important in women with primary dysmenorrhea in order to control prostaglandin secretion. This review explains that regular exercise with low to moderate intensity (30-75% of maximum ability) performed 3 times in 1 week can increase progesterone concentrations. Physical exercises that can be done to reduce pain intensity due to primary dysmenorrhea include stretching exercises, jogging, and yoga exercises. Keywords: N-3 PUFAs, Physical Exercise; Dismenore Primer; Menstrual Pain