ABDOMINAL STRETCHING EXERCISE TO ALLEVIATE DYSMENORRHEA IN FEMALE ADOLESCENT: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition among female adolescents that significantly interferes with daily activities, academic performance, and overall quality of life. Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used and clinically effective, long-term use may cause adverse effects and is not always preferred, highlighting the need for safe and accessible nonpharmacological alternatives. Abdominal stretching exercise has been proposed as a simple, low-cost, and self-administered intervention for menstrual pain management. Physiologically, stretching may enhance pelvic blood circulation, stimulate endorphin release, and reduce abdominal muscle tension, thereby contributing to pain reduction. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of abdominal stretching exercises in reducing menstrual pain intensity among female adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea. The review includes quantitative studies with pre-experimental, quasi-experimental, and randomized controlled trial designs published between 2015 and 2025. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Cochrane, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL, and findings were synthesized using a textual narrative approach to examine patterns, consistency, and direction of effects. Overall, the evidence indicates that abdominal stretching exercises significantly reduce pain intensity and improve associated symptoms without reported adverse effects. This review is expected to provide evidence supporting abdominal stretching as a safe, cost-effective, and practical intervention suitable for integration into evidence-based nursing practice and adolescent reproductive health programs.