Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a prevalent condition in young women, characterized by menstrual pain, sleep disturbances, and reduced physical activity. Yoga has been suggested as a non-pharmacological intervention. We examined the effects of a 12-week yoga program on menstrual pain, sleep quality, and cardiorespiratory endurance in 36 women aged 18-25 years with PD. Participants were allocated to yoga (n = 18) or control (n = 18) groups. Menstrual pain decreased in both groups (yoga: p < .001; control: p = .041), with no significant between-group difference (p > .05). Sleep parameters showed no intergroup differences in efficiency, latency, or duration, yet the yoga group exhibited reduced wake after sleep onset (p = .032), indicating improved sleep continuity (control: p = .813). Cardiorespiratory endurance (Incremental and Endurance Shuttle Walk Tests) showed no significant changes (p > .05). A 12-week yoga intervention may reduce menstrual pain and improve sleep continuity within groups; however, no significant improvements in aerobic endurance were observed. Longer or more intensive programs may be needed for physiological adaptations.

Dysmenorrhea is pain associated with menstrual bleeding; however, recent research has shown that dysmenorrhea is a risk factor for chronic pelvic pain in some individuals. Shared etiological factors associated with pain, such as central sensitization, have also been shown in both conditions. This paper will highlight our current diagnostic conceptualizations and treatment approaches for each dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain, and review evidence of pathways involved in the transition from cyclic to chronic pelvic pain. Clinical recommendations for individualized treatment approaches based on patient phenotypes and areas of future research are also discussed.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare benign ovarian tumor that predominantly affects women of reproductive and perimenopausal age, and is often accompanied by uterine fibroids. Patients typically present with symptoms such as menorrhagia, anemia, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain or a palpable abdominal mass. In its early stages, the clinical manifestations of this disease are highly nonspecific and lack typical features, leading to a high rate of underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis in clinical practice. IVL is classified as a borderline tumor due to its histologically benign characteristics but biologically malignant behaviors, such as vascular invasion and distant spread. When the lesion extends to involve the inferior vena cava or even the heart, recurrent syncope may become the predominant clinical manifestation. With disease progression, sudden cardiac arrest of a fatal type may occur. Surgical resection remains the primary treatment for this condition. Given its high recurrence rate, post-operative follow-up should be conducted in a manner similar to that for malignant tumors, with regular imaging surveillance. To enhance clinical awareness of IVL, the present study describes a case of IVL in a patient whose chief complaint was increased menstrual flow, an atypical presentation. By reviewing the current case, practical insights may be provided into the diagnosis and management of IVL.

Menstrual challenges such as dysmenorrhea, irregular cycles, and premenstrual symptoms are common among adolescent girls, often compromising their overall well-being. Recent studies indicate that sports participation may enhance menstrual health, though quantitative data specific to Chinese adolescents remains limited. This study aimed to examine the connection between sports involvement and menstrual health through a reproductive health lens. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, girls aged 12-18 completed structured questionnaires of 300 people assessing their sports activities, menstrual pain intensity, cycle regularity, premenstrual symptoms, perceived stress levels, and sleep quality. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multivariate regression techniques. Results revealed that increased engagement in sports was significantly linked to lower severity of menstrual pain, improved cycle predictability, and reduced premenstrual symptoms. These associations held strong even after adjusting for factors like age, BMI, stress levels, and sleep quality. Reliability across measurement scales ranged from satisfactory to high. This research highlights the positive role of sports participation in enhancing menstrual health among Chinese adolescent girls. Promoting regular and moderate physical activity emerges as an effective strategy to boost reproductive health and overall well-being during adolescence.

This study examined how physical activity affects Chinese female university students' menstrual health and psychological well-being, with particular emphasis on how it affects the reproductive health indicators of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Menstrual health (dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms), psychological wellbeing (stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality), and physical activity levels were all gathered using a cross-sectional analytical design. Multivariate regression analyses adjusted for lifestyle and sociodemographic variables. The results demonstrated a significant correlation between improved psychological wellbeing and less severe menstrual symptoms and higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Stress levels, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality were all lower among active students. Physical activity and menstrual health were mediated by perceived stress and sleep quality. We conclude that exercise is an effective comprehensive strategy for improving perceived stress and menstrual health.

Pain is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Sex has emerged as a key determinant of vulnerability to chronic pain and a major risk factor for poor response to available pharmacological treatments. Women report higher rates of chronic pain and exhibit greater pain sensitivity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Preclinical models are essential to uncover sex-specific biological pathways involved in pain and to guide the development of novel, targeted therapies through translational approaches. This review summarizes animal models of female-associated pelvic pain disorders, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea, vulvodynia, interstitial cystitis, uterine leiomyomas, chronic pelvic pain, and pelvic inflammatory disease. These models recapitulate key features such as lesion biology, neuroimmune interactions, and pain behaviors also observed in patients. However, current models still face limitations in capturing spontaneous pain dynamics, hormonal complexity, and psychosocial influences. Refining and integrating biological, behavioral, and sex-specific endpoints will be crucial to enhance their translational relevance and advance precision pain therapies for women.