Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
  • Register
  • Login
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Current
  • Archives
  • Announcements
  • About
    • About the Journal
    • Submissions
    • Editorial Team
    • Privacy Statement
    • Contact
  • Register
  • Login

Quality in Sport

Impact of Physical Activity on Symptoms and Quality of Life in Women with Endometriosis: A Narrative Review
  • Home
  • /
  • Impact of Physical Activity on Symptoms and Quality of Life in Women with Endometriosis: A Narrative Review
  1. Home /
  2. Archives /
  3. Vol. 55 (2026) /
  4. Medical Sciences

Impact of Physical Activity on Symptoms and Quality of Life in Women with Endometriosis: A Narrative Review

Authors

  • Agata Chrobak Medical University of Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3370-5290
  • Kateryna Bessmylna Medical University of Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9220-9162
  • Alesia Kravets Medical University of Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2532-4458
  • Lizaveta Zhukava Medical University of Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8328-2232
  • Abdulrahman Alansi Medical University of Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6544-2916
  • Kai-Chiun Weng Medical University of Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5519-537X
  • Joanna Żukowska Medical University of Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8597-5447

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.55.70924

Keywords

endometriosis, physical activity, exercise therapy, pelvic pain, quality of life

Abstract

Background. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease that significantly impairs women’s quality of life through chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, infertility, and psychological distress. Increasing attention has been directed toward non-pharmacological approaches, including physical activity.

Aim. This review aimed to analyze current evidence on the effects of physical activity and different exercise modalities on symptoms and quality of life in women with endometriosis.

Material and methods. A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies published between 2020 and 2026, including randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and observational studies.

Results. Available evidence suggests that physical activity may reduce pain, improve quality of life, enhance mental well-being, and improve physical functioning. The most beneficial effects are associated with combined interventions including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and mind–body techniques.

Conclusions. Physical activity may be an effective complementary strategy in the management of endometriosis; however, further high-quality studies are needed.

References

1. Rolla E. Endometriosis: advances and controversies in classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. F1000Res. 2019;8:F1000 Faculty Rev-529. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.14817.1

2. Amro B, Ramírez Aristondo ME, Alsuwaidi S, Almaamari B, Hakim Z, Tahlak M, Wattiez A, Koninckx PR. New Understanding of Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Endometriosis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(11):6725. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116725

3. Ricci E, Viganò P, Cipriani S, Chiaffarino F, Bianchi S, Rebonato G, Parazzini F. Physical activity and endometriosis risk in women with infertility or pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(40):e4957. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000004957

4. Lalla AT, Onyebuchi C, Jorgensen E, Clark N. Impact of lifestyle and dietary modifications for endometriosis development and symptom management. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2024;36(4):247-254. https://doi.org/10.1097/GCO.0000000000000969

5. Artacho-Cordón F, Salinas-Asensio MDM, Galiano-Castillo N, Ocón-Hernández O, Peinado FM, Mundo-López A, Lozano-Lozano M, Álvarez-Salvago F, Arroyo-Morales M, Fernández-Lao C, Cantarero-Villanueva I. Effect of a Multimodal Supervised Therapeutic Exercise Program on Quality of Life, Pain, and Lumbopelvic Impairments in Women With Endometriosis Unresponsive to Conventional Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;104(11):1785-1795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2023.06.020

6. Fattori V, Franklin NS, Gonzalez-Cano R, Peterse D, Ghalali A, Madrian E, Verri WA Jr, Andrews N, Woolf CJ, Rogers MS. Nonsurgical mouse model of endometriosis-associated pain that responds to clinically active drugs. Pain. 2020;161(6):1321-1331. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001832

7. Shigesi N, Kvaskoff M, Kirtley S, Feng Q, Fang H, Knight JC, Missmer SA, Rahmioglu N, Zondervan KT, Becker CM. The association between endometriosis and autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2019;25(4):486-503. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmz014

8. Nati ID, Malutan A, Ciortea R, Oancea M, Bucuri C, Roman M, Ormindean C, Milon AG, Mihu D. Exploring the Influence of IL-8, IL-10, Patient-Reported Pain, and Physical Activity on Endometriosis Severity. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024;14(16):1822. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14161822

9. Abril-Coello R, Correyero-León M, Ceballos-Laita L, Jiménez-Barrio S. Benefits of physical therapy in improving quality of life and pain associated with endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023;162(1):233-243. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14645

10. Gabrielsen R, Tellum T, Bø K, Engh ME, Frawley H, Nedregård Tveito S, Tennfjord MK. Supervised exercise and pelvic floor muscle training eases current pelvic and genital pain but not worsens pelvic and genital pain in women with endometriosis: a randomized trial. J Physiother. 2025;71(4):246-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphys.2025.09.012

11. Gabrielsen R, Bø K, Engh ME, Tennfjord MK. Is Pelvic Floor Muscle Resting Activity Associated with Pelvic and Genital Pain, Dyspareunia, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction? A Cross-Sectional Study of Women with Endometriosis. Int Urogynecol J. 2025;36(11):2277-2285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-025-06190-2

12. Tennfjord MK, Gabrielsen R, Bø K, Engh ME, Molin M. Can general exercise training and pelvic floor muscle training be used as an empowering tool among women with endometriosis? BMC Womens Health. 2024;24(1):505. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03356-w

13. Pavic T, Terrade F, Cabagno G. Acceptability of a physical activity program using a digital tool in the management of endometriosis. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2026;21(2):733-745. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2569791

14. Escriva-Boulley G, Philip CA, Warembourg S, Lenotre L, Flore P, Faure P, Michy T, Letouzey V, Arnold C, Piluso C, Chalmel L, Kacem R, Blum GF, Detayrac R, Trocmé C, Brigaud I, Herbach U, Branche P, Faller E, Chalabaev A. Effects of a physical activity and endometriosis-based education program delivered by videoconference on endometriosis symptoms: the CRESCENDO program protocol study. Trials. 2023;24(1):759. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07792-1

15. Xie M, Qing X, Huang H, Zhang L, Tu Q, Guo H, Zhang J. The effectiveness and safety of physical activity and exercise on women with endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2025;20(2):e0317820. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317820

16. Sachs MK, Dedes I, El-Hadad S, Haufe A, Rueff D, Kohl Schwartz AS, Haeberlin F, von Orelli S, Eberhard M, Leeners B. Physical Activity in Women with Endometriosis: Less or More Compared with a Healthy Control? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(17):6659. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176659

17. Blanco-Martínez N, Varela S, Ayán-Pérez C, Diz-Gómez JC. Perceived barriers and physical activity levels in women with endometriosis: The role of symptoms. Women Health. 2025;65(7):638-649. https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2025.2549986

18. Tennfjord MK, Gabrielsen R, Tellum T. Effect of physical activity and exercise on endometriosis-associated symptoms: a systematic review. BMC Womens Health. 2021;21(1):355. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01500-4

19. Tourny C, Zouita A, El Kababi S, Feuillet L, Saeidi A, Laher I, Weiss K, Knechtle B, Zouhal H. Endometriosis and physical activity: A narrative review. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023;163(3):747-756. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14898

20. Mikocka-Walus A, Druitt M, O’Shea M, Skvarc D, Watts JJ, Esterman A, Tsaltas J, Knowles S, Harris J, Dowding C, Parigi E, Evans S. Yoga, cognitive-behavioural therapy versus education to improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs in people with endometriosis: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2021;11(8):e046603. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046603

21. Ravins I, Joseph G, Tene L. The Effect of Practicing “Endometriosis Yoga” on Stress and Quality of Life for Women with Endometriosis: AB Design Pilot Study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2023;29(3):8-14. PMID: 35839113

22. Mansor M, Chong MC, Ping Lei C, Hamdan M, Roslim NA, Mat Isa R. Effect of mindful breathing on anxiety, depression, and quality of life among women with endometriosis. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2026 Feb 5:1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2026.2622923

23. Salinas-Asensio MDM, Álvarez-Salvago F, Mundo-López A, Ocón-Hernández O, Lozano-Lozano M, López-Garzón M, Postigo-Martín P, Arroyo-Morales M, Rodríguez-Ruiz Á, Fernández-Lao C, Artacho-Cordón F. Changes in fatigue, health-related fitness, sleep quality, mental health, gastrointestinal complaints and sexual function after a multimodal supervised therapeutic exercise program in women with endometriosis unresponsive to conventional therapy: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2025;312:114083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114083

24. Hartmann TE, Baker KA, Girard D. Is exercise duration more important than intensity in endometriosis? BMC Womens Health. 2025;25(1):625. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-04160-w

25. Pakebusch V, Schlisio B, Schönfisch B, Brucker SY, Krämer B, Andress J. Virtual reality-based pain control in endometriosis: a questionnaire-based pilot study of applications for relaxation and physical activity. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2025;311(6):1721-1731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-025-08000-y

26. Salinas-Asensio MDM, Ocón-Hernández O, Mundo-López A, Fernández-Lao C, Peinado FM, Padilla-Vinuesa C, Álvarez-Salvago F, Postigo-Martín P, Lozano-Lozano M, Lara-Ramos A, Arroyo-Morales M, Cantarero-Villanueva I, Artacho-Cordón F. ‘Physio-EndEA’ Study: A Randomized, Parallel-Group Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effect of a Supervised and Adapted Therapeutic Exercise Program to Improve Quality of Life in Symptomatic Women Diagnosed with Endometriosis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1738. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031738

Quality in Sport

Downloads

  • PDF

Published

2026-05-08

How to Cite

1.
CHROBAK, Agata, BESSMYLNA , Kateryna, KRAVETS , Alesia, ZHUKAVA, Lizaveta, ALANSI, Abdulrahman, WENG, Kai-Chiun and ŻUKOWSKA , Joanna. Impact of Physical Activity on Symptoms and Quality of Life in Women with Endometriosis: A Narrative Review. Quality in Sport. Online. 8 May 2026. Vol. 55, p. 70924. [Accessed 13 May 2026]. DOI 10.12775/QS.2026.55.70924.
  • ISO 690
  • ACM
  • ACS
  • APA
  • ABNT
  • Chicago
  • Harvard
  • IEEE
  • MLA
  • Turabian
  • Vancouver
Download Citation
  • Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
  • BibTeX

Issue

Vol. 55 (2026)

Section

Medical Sciences

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Agata Chrobak, Kateryna Bessmylna , Alesia Kravets , Lizaveta Zhukava, Abdulrahman Alansi, Kai-Chiun Weng, Joanna Żukowska

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Stats

Number of views and downloads: 71
Number of citations: 0

Search

Search

Browse

  • Browse Author Index
  • Issue archive

User

User

Current Issue

  • Atom logo
  • RSS2 logo
  • RSS1 logo

Information

  • For Readers
  • For Authors
  • For Librarians

Newsletter

Subscribe Unsubscribe

Tags

Search using one of provided tags:

endometriosis, physical activity, exercise therapy, pelvic pain, quality of life
Up

Akademicka Platforma Czasopism

Najlepsze czasopisma naukowe i akademickie w jednym miejscu

apcz.umk.pl

Partners

  • Akademia Ignatianum w Krakowie
  • Akademickie Towarzystwo Andragogiczne
  • Fundacja Copernicus na rzecz Rozwoju Badań Naukowych
  • Instytut Historii im. Tadeusza Manteuffla Polskiej Akademii Nauk
  • Instytut Kultur Śródziemnomorskich i Orientalnych PAN
  • Instytut Tomistyczny
  • Karmelitański Instytut Duchowości w Krakowie
  • Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego
  • Państwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Krośnie
  • Państwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych we Włocławku
  • Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa im. Stanisława Pigonia w Krośnie
  • Polska Fundacja Przemysłu Kosmicznego
  • Polskie Towarzystwo Ekonomiczne
  • Polskie Towarzystwo Ludoznawcze
  • Towarzystwo Miłośników Torunia
  • Towarzystwo Naukowe w Toruniu
  • Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu
  • Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
  • Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika
  • Uniwersytet w Białymstoku
  • Uniwersytet Warszawski
  • Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna - Książnica Kopernikańska
  • Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne w Pelplinie / Wydawnictwo Diecezjalne „Bernardinum" w Pelplinie

© 2021- Nicolaus Copernicus University Accessibility statement Shop