London April 28 (IANS) Practicing yoga may enhance mood and reduce pain in women affected by menstrual distress associated with physical and psychological symptoms says a study.
For the study the researchers carried out a systematic review of the published literature on yoga practice and common menstrual disorders.
Enhanced mood reduced pain increased wellbeing and a heightened relaxation response were among the improved outcomes reported by women who participated in a yoga intervention according to the findings published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Jennifer Oates of King s College London assessed the evidence from 15 published studies on the effects of yoga practice on problems such as amenorrhea oligomenorrhea dysmenorrhea premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
A range of yoga interventions were used. Some studies used a combination of Asana Pranayama and other yogic relaxation or meditation techniques.
All of the studies evaluated reported a beneficial effect and reduced symptoms.
All included studies reported some change in their outcome measures suggesting reduced symptoms of menstrual distress following a yoga intervention the study said.
--IANS
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Yoga may reduce symptoms of menstrual disorders
