Chocolate Cyst (Endometriosis) and Physical Activity

Chocolate cyst (endometriosis) is described as the tissue known as endometrial being outside the cavity of the uterus. Factors such as painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, chronic pelvic pain and infertility stand out as symptoms of chocolate cyst. When the effect of physical activity on chocolate cyst is investigated, and when the hypothesis that there is an inflammatory predisposition is put forward, it is found that factors such as physical activity have a positive effect on chocolate cyst.

The scientific study entitled “The Effect of Physical Activity in Rats with Experimentally Induced Endometriosis” was published in the journal “Reproductive Sciences” by Montenegro and colleagues, scientists in Brazil. With this study it was found that physical activity makes a positive contribution to the treatment of chocolate cyst and to slowing down the progression of chocolate cyst.

Seven groups of 10 rats were compared as “sedentary (no exercise at all), light exercise (once a week), moderate level exercise (3 times a week) and intense exercise (5 times a week)”. Three groups were started on physical activity before the induction of endometriosis in order to understand the effect of physical activity. The other groups began physical activity after the induction of chocolate cyst in order to determine the possibility of treatment. Because the rats used as subjects have the ability to swim from birth and because it is a less stressful activity, swimming was chosen as the physical activity.

Immediately after the swimming activity that continued for 10 weeks, Fas gene expression and reduced Mmp gene expression before and after the induction of chocolate cyst were examined. This examination shows that the proliferation, migration and differentiation of the endometriotic tissue were reduced.

In addition, oxidative stress was also significantly reduced, but in the immunochemical analyses no meaningful analyses could be drawn in terms of protein levels.
Through this experiment the researchers reached the conclusion that “Physical activity has a valuable place in the treatment and prevention of endometriosis, but more controlled studies need to be carried out in order to determine the importance of physical exercise in women who have a chocolate cyst”.