The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of
manual therapy and the use of
ibuprofen on the severity of
dysmenorrhea and changes in the level of
sex hormones in young women with
dysmenorrhea. Material and methods: The study included six women, aged 22 ± 2 years, with primary
dysmenorrhea (PD). A physiotherapist examined the tenderness and flexibility of the muscles. The patients were subjected to a gynecological and physiotherapeutic examination; the concentrations of
progesterone and 17-beta-estradiol were also determined. In subgroup A (n = 3),
manual therapy was performed 3 × 45 min; in subgroup B (n = 3), the patients received
ibuprofen 3 × 400 mg/day. Results: In subgroup A, all patients showed a decrease in the level of
progesterone and an increase in the concentration of
estradiol. In subgroup B, the concentration of
progesterone and 17-beta
estradiol decreased in two subjects. In subgroup A,
manual therapy reduced the severity of
headache,
back pain,
diarrhea,
fatigue, and PMS. In subgroup B, the use of
ibuprofen only alleviated
back pain and
fatigue. Moreover, in subgroup A, after the application of
manual therapy, improvement in flexibility and
pain relief of the examined muscles was demonstrated. On the other hand, in subgroup B, no improvement in flexibility or reduction in
muscle soreness was found in patients who took
ibuprofen. Conclusions:
Manual therapy may reduce
menstrual pain in women with
dysmenorrhea. However, the results need to be confirmed in studies conducted on a larger group of patients with
dysmenorrhea.