Endometriosis and physical exercises: a systematic review
Camila M Bonocher1, Mary L Montenegro, Julio C Rosa E Silva
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil. caca_bonocher@hotmail.com.
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E
|January 8, 2014
Summary
Regular physical exercise may offer protection against inflammatory diseases. However, current research is inconclusive on whether exercise impacts endometriosis prevalence or symptom improvement, necessitating further studies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Inflammation Biology
Background:
- Endometriosis is linked to local inflammatory peritoneal reactions from ectopic endometrial implants.
- Physical exercise influences systemic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant cytokines and estrogen levels.
- Understanding exercise's role in endometriosis is crucial for women's health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on the relationship between physical exercise and endometriosis.
- To assess if physical activity affects endometriosis prevalence or symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was conducted in PubMed from 1985 to 2012.
- Keywords included "endometriosis and physical exercises" and "endometriosis and life style and physical exercises".
- Only 6 out of 935 identified articles met the inclusion criteria.
Main Results:
- The available data are inconclusive regarding physical exercise as a protective factor for endometriosis.
- No studies specifically addressed the impact of exercise on the progression or management of endometriosis symptoms.
- The reviewed studies focused primarily on the potential link between exercise and endometriosis prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support a definitive relationship between physical exercise and endometriosis risk or symptom improvement.
- More rigorous, randomized controlled trials are required to establish the role of exercise in endometriosis.
- Further research is needed to explore exercise's potential impact on the course of endometriosis.
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