Impact of resistance training and melatonin consumption on sex hormone levels, PGF2α, FSH, LH, pain intensity, and sleep quality in girls with primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea significantly affects the daily lives and performance of girls. This study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance training and melatonin consumption on sex hormone levels, PGF2α, FSH, LH, pain intensity, and sleep quality in girls with primary dysmenorrhea.

This semi-experimental study included 60 girls with moderate primary dysmenorrhea randomly assigned to four groups: exercise + melatonin, exercise + placebo, melatonin, and control (15 girls in each group). Participants in the exercise + melatonin group received 10 mg of melatonin daily, while the placebo group received an equivalent amount of carbohydrates. The resistance training program involved 50-60 minutes of weight training daily, three days a week for eight weeks. Pain intensity was evaluated using the McGill questionnaire, and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh questionnaire. Serum levels of sex hormones, PGF2α, FSH, and LH were also measured.

The exercise + melatonin group exhibited a significant increase in estrogen (P<0.001), progesterone (P<0.001), LH (P<0.001), and FSH (P<0.001) levels compared to all other groups. Additionally, both the exercise + placebo group and the melatonin group showed higher levels of these hormones compared to the placebo group. The melatonin group demonstrated reductions in PGF2α (P<0.001), pain intensity (P<0.001), and sleep quality (P<0.001) compared to all other groups. Similar improvements were observed in the exercise + placebo group and the exercise + melatonin group compared to the placebo group.

The findings reveal that hypothalamic and corticotropin hormone release may play a role in primary dysmenorrhea. Melatonin appears to modulate sex hormone fluctuations associated with primary dysmenorrhea, leading to improved sleep quality and reduced pain intensity by decreasing PGF2α levels.