Comparative effect of Kegel and Pelvic rocking exercises on primary dysmenorrhea: A quasi-experimental study

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common cause of menstrual pain among adolescents, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Our quasi-experimental study assessed 300 adolescent girls, comparing the effect of Kegel exercises (n=150) and pelvic rocking exercises (n=150) over four menstrual cycles. Pain intensity was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale before and after the intervention. Both groups showed statistically significant reductions in pain scores (p<0.001), with greater mean reduction in the Kegel group (2.59 ± 0.84) compared to the pelvic rocking group (1.55 ± 0.78). Categorical analysis revealed a higher shift from severe to mild pain among participants performing Kegel exercises. Thus, we show that pelvic floor strengthening offers superior pain relief and should be incorporated into adolescent health programs to reduce analgesic use and improve quality of life.