Awareness and Experiences of Physiotherapy for Managing Primary Dysmenorrhea Among Women in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual condition that significantly affects women’s daily functioning and quality of life. Although physiotherapy has been shown to reduce menstrual pain, the awareness of these methods in Saudi Arabia remains unclear. This study aimed to assess women’s awareness and experiences of physiotherapy methods for managing primary dysmenorrhea in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among women living in SA between 16 and 28 February 2024. The questionnaire collected information on six sections including on sociodemographic characteristics, menstrual history and pain severity, work-related impact, pain-management practices, healthcare utilisation, and awareness and use of physiotherapy modalities. Convenience sampling was employed, and participation was voluntary and anonymous. Descriptive data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: A total of 431 women participated; most were Saudis (91.9%) and aged 18–24 years (43.2%). Primary dysmenorrhea was reported by 86.5% of participants. More than half (58%) had used at least one physiotherapy-related method, mainly heat, massage, or exercise, and 55.2% considered these methods effective. However, most relied on basic home strategies rather than structured physiotherapy interventions. Additionally, 60.8% expressed willingness to use physiotherapy in the future. Conclusions: Despite the frequent use of simple home-based methods, structured physiotherapy interventions remain underutilised. Increasing public education, improving access to physiotherapy services, and integrating self-management guidance and telerehabilitation into women’s health programmes may enhance menstrual pain management and overall quality of life.