Paper Title
EFFICACY OF BODY-ORIENTED PSYCHOTHERAPY IN ALLEVIATING SYMPTOMS OF PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA AND PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

Abstract
Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are prevalent among reproductive-aged women, significantly impacting their quality of life and daily functioning. These conditions often result in irritability, anxiety, depression, and decreased productivity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of body-oriented psychotherapy in mitigating the symptoms of PMS and primary dysmenorrhea among women of reproductive age. Sixty women with diagnosed dysmenorrhea or PMS were interviewed as part of a structured survey based on the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) and the Menstrual Distress Inventory (MDI). Following this, the participants underwent a course of body-oriented psychotherapy lasting from 14 days to 2.5 months. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted to evaluate changes in pain levels and emotional well-being. Post-intervention analysis revealed a significant reduction in pain for 96% of participants, with 68.4% reporting improved emotional states and 36.4% experiencing reduced somatic symptoms. Common symptoms like headaches (65%), mastalgia (88%), pelvic and abdominal pain (100%), gastrointestinal disturbances (80%), and eating behavior disorders (93%) showed marked improvement. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the effectiveness of body-oriented psychotherapy and suggest its potential as a non-pharmacological treatment option for reducing PMS and dysmenorrhea symptoms. Keywords - Body-Oriented Psychotherapy, Dysmenorrhea, Premenstrual Syndrome