Systematic review, 2026
Does exercise help with mood problems, pain, and fatigue in women with PMS?
Yes. Exercise including running, yoga, and Pilates significantly reduces negative mood, pain, and fatigue in women with PMS. Running for 9-12 weeks at 3 or more sessions per week works best for mood. Yoga for 9-12 weeks at 3 or more sessions per week works best for pain and fatigue.
What they did
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 published studies on exercise for PMS. Six studies tested running, three tested Pilates, and eleven tested yoga. Results were combined to measure effects on mood, pain symptoms, and fatigue.
What they found
Exercise improved mood, pain symptoms, and fatigue (all statistically significant at P < 0.01). Running for 9-12 weeks at 3 or more sessions per week was most effective for improving mood. Yoga for 9-12 weeks at 3 or more sessions per week was most effective for reducing pain. Yoga for 9-12 weeks was most effective for reducing fatigue.
What it means for you
Regular, consistent exercise can significantly improve mood, pain, and energy levels in women with PMS. Doing 3 or more sessions per week for 9-12 weeks showed the best results. The main limitation is that total number of women studied across all 20 papers is not clearly stated, and individual study quality likely varies.
20
studies reviewed
9-12
weeks optimal duration
≥3
sessions per week optimal frequency
About the study
- Original title
- A systematic review of exercise interventions on negative affect, pain, and fatigue in women with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Li X, Ding F, Ma X et al.
- Journal
- BMC women's health
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Exercise programs: running, Pilates, or yoga at various frequencies and durations
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-04242-9
Topics
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