Ipek Ensari, PhD, highlights improved mental health in chronic pelvic pain from physical activity

In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Ipek Ensari, PhD, professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, highlighted a study indicating improved mental health among chronic pelvic pain patients performing moderate physical activity.

Chronic pelvic pain disorders, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and fibroids, have been shown to significantly affect mental health, leading to increased anxiety and depressive symptoms among affected individuals. The study compared the mental health of women with chronic pelvic pain conditions to those without such conditions, finding that women with these disorders experienced a decline in overall mental well-being compared to their peers.

Physical activity has been identified as a potential intervention to help alleviate the negative mental health impacts of chronic pelvic pain. The study suggests that engaging in regular, moderate to vigorous physical activity such as a brisk walk can improve mental well-being.

Ensari noted that the intensity of the exercise is crucial, as significant mental health benefits were observed from moderate physical activity. This indicated strenuous or intense workouts are not necessary to improve mental health. Furthermore, the study did not focus on specific types of exercises, meaning there is flexibility in the kind of physical activity patients can engage in, so long as they maintain regularity and sufficient intensity.

According to Ensari, the clinical significance of these findings is considerable. The results can help clinicians confidently recommend physical activity as part of comprehensive treatment plans for women with chronic pelvic pain disorders, emphasizing its importance not only for physical health but also for mental health.

This recommendation encourages patients to stick with their exercise routines, as the mental health benefits may take a few days to manifest after the activity is performed. Clinicians are encouraged to advise patients to gradually increase the intensity of their physical activity, aiming for moderate intensity over time.

Ensari hopes for future research to explore whether specific types of physical activities are more effective than others in improving mental well-being in this patient population. Researchers are also interested in examining interventions designed to increase physical activity among individuals who are less active or those whose mental well-being has significantly worsened.

These studies could provide valuable insights into how best to use physical activity to improve the mental health of patients with chronic pelvic pain disorders. The key takeaway is that physical activity should be encouraged as an essential part of managing both the physical and mental aspects of chronic pelvic pain.