Exercise may benefit those with endometriosis: the Exercise 4 Endo trans-Tasman online survey

Cristy Brooks, Alex Semprini, Allie Eathorne, Melissa H. Black, Michaela Walton, Associate Professor Mike Armour
In: Research Square · 2024 · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4562611/v1 · W4399592340
preprint OA: green CC0
📄 Open PDF View on OpenAlex View at publisher

Abstract

Abstract Endometriosis affects 1 in 9 women. Current medical and surgical management strategies are not always effective and often result in significant side effects, including sub-optimal pain management. Exercise may exhibit benefits to those with endometriosis, via hormonal and/or inflammatory cytokine mediation pathways. However, previous research has provided mixed results about the impact of exercise, with some studies reporting significant adverse effects. This study aims to determine if those with endometriosis are engaging in exercise, what type(s) of exercise and what impact it has on their symptoms. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted via Qualtrics (August to October 2022). Inclusion criteria included endometriosis diagnosis, 18 + years of age and living in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). 424 responses were received, 63% from Australia and 37% from NZ. 73.8% exercised regularly (weekly basis), with walking the most common modality (87.8%). More than half of respondents revealed exercise was part of their endometriosis self-management strategy (51.6%). The majority of respondents exercised for mental health benefits (84.5%). Negative effects on endometriosis symptoms (e.g. pain) was the most frequently reported reason for not currently exercising (36.6%). This study showed many people with endometriosis in Australia and NZ chose to exercise regularly. Some respondents reported not currently exercising due to negative effects on symptoms, but many used exercise for symptom management, or to benefit their ongoing physical and mental health. Exercise may be a promising avenue for non-surgical treatment of endometriosis, but further research is needed to explore appropriate exercise prescription to limit symptom exacerbation.

My notes (saved in your browser only)

Condition tags

endometriosis

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (40)

Source provenance

europepmc
last seen: 2026-06-11T06:38:44.028908+00:00
openalex
last seen: 2026-06-10T17:14:06.276822+00:00
License: CC0 · commercial use OK