Impact of Sport on the Course of Endometriosis

Szymon Niemirka, Aleksandra Janiak, K Dominiczak, Kinga Dominiczak, Łukasz Grądalski, Filip Dębicki, Adrianna Kopaczyńska, Katarzyna Szafrańska
In: Quality in Sport · 2024 · vol. 35 , pp. 56300 · doi:10.12775/qs.2024.35.56300 · W4405402925
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This review evaluates literature on physical activity's impact on endometriosis, finding that regular exercise reduces pain, improves well-being and mental health, and should be a supportive therapeutic approach.

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This paper reviews the literature on how physical activity and sport affect symptoms and quality of life in women with endometriosis, summarizing evidence across aerobic and strength exercise approaches as well as mental health effects. The authors report that regular physical activity is associated with reduced pain intensity, improved well-being, and lower reliance on pain medications, with additional benefits for stress, anxiety, and depression that may influence the disease course. A key limitation explicitly noted is the need for more controlled studies and long-term observations to determine optimal exercise type, intensity, and frequency. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it specifically reviews evidence on the impact of sport and physical activity on endometriosis symptoms and quality of life.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a common condition affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and leads to many unpleasant symptoms, such as pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and fertility issues. Although treatment primarily involves surgical and hormonal approaches, growing evidence suggests that physical activity may play a beneficial role in alleviating symptoms of the disease. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on the impact of physical activity on the symptoms of endometriosis and evaluate the role of exercise in improving the quality of life for patients. Available research indicates that regular physical activity, including aerobic and strength exercises, can reduce pain intensity, improve well-being, and decrease the need for pain medications. Additionally, exercise positively affects mental health, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, which, in turn, improves the course of the disease. The findings suggest that physical activity should be considered an integral part of endometriosis treatment, serving as a supportive therapeutic approach. However, further controlled studies and long-term observations are necessary to determine the optimal type, intensity, and frequency of exercise for women with endometriosis.
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Impact of Sport on the Course of Endometriosis DOI: https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2024.35.56300Keywords Endometriosis, Chronic disease management, Physical activity, Endometriosis treatmentAbstract Endometriosis is a common condition affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and leads to many unpleasant symptoms, such as pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and fertility issues. Although treatment primarily involves surgical and hormonal approaches, growing evidence suggests that physical activity may play a beneficial role in alleviating symptoms of the disease. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on the impact of physical activity on the symptoms of endometriosis and evaluate the role of exercise in improving the quality of life for patients. Available research indicates that regular physical activity, including aerobic and strength exercises, can reduce pain intensity, improve well-being, and decrease the need for pain medications. Additionally, exercise positively affects mental health, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, which, in turn, improves the course of the disease. The findings suggest that physical activity should be considered an integral part of endometriosis treatment, serving as a supportive therapeutic approach. However, further controlled studies and long-term observations are necessary to determine the optimal type, intensity, and frequency of exercise for women with endometriosis. References - Nassiri Kigloo H, Itani R, Montreuil T, Feferkorn I, Raina J, Tulandi T, Mansour F, Krishnamurthy S, Suarthana E. Endometriosis, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression: A retrospective study among 12 million women. J Affect Disord. 2024 Feb 1;346:260-265. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.034. Epub 2023 Nov 11. 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