Transforming Menstrual Health through Mind-Body Therapies: A Narrative Review of Mindfulness and Relaxation-Based Interventions for Dysmenorrhea

Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual disorder that significantly affects the physical, psychological, and academic functioning of women, particularly adolescents and young adults. Growing evidence suggests that mindfulness and relaxation-based interventions may offer effective, non-pharmacological options for symptom relief.

Aim: This review aims to synthesise recent evidence (2020-2025) on the effectiveness of mindfulness and relaxation strategies, including yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and guided relaxation, in managing dysmenorrhea.

Methods: A narrative review approach was used. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, and Google Scholar were searched for studies published in the last five years. Eligible studies involved mindfulness or relaxation-based interventions targeting dysmenorrhea and reported outcomes on pain, psychological distress, or coping.

Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions such as mindfulness-based psychoeducation, yoga, and breathing techniques consistently demonstrated reductions in menstrual pain, improved coping mechanisms, and decreased stress and anxiety. Most studies involved young women and used short-term interventions lasting 4-12 weeks. Despite positive outcomes, variations in study design and small sample sizes limit generalisability.

Conclusion: Mindfulness and relaxation techniques show promising potential as safe, low-cost adjuncts to conventional dysmenorrhea management. However, further high-quality research is needed to establish standardized protocols and long-term efficacy.