--- title: Does physical activity reduce premenstrual tension symptoms? | Niyora description: Yes, physical activity was significantly associated with less severe premenstrual tension symptoms, particularly pain and concentration problems, though the s url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-between-premenstrual-tension-syndrome-and-menstruation-distress-with-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does physical activity reduce premenstrual tension symptoms? Survey study, 2023 # Does physical activity reduce premenstrual tension symptoms? Yes, physical activity was significantly associated with less severe premenstrual tension symptoms, particularly pain and concentration problems, though the study was small. Early or limited evidence 53 women (mean age 24.01 ± 4.062 years) with premenstrual tension syndrome and dysmenorrhea in Pakistan ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 53 women with premenstrual tension syndrome and dysmenorrhea from May to October 2022 in Pakistan. Researchers used questionnaires to measure symptoms and physical activity levels. ## What they found 57.7% had severe premenstrual tension symptoms. Pain, concentration problems, and negative effects of symptoms were significantly associated with recreational and physical activity levels (p = 0.003, p = 0.001, p = 0.034). Physical activity level had weak correlation with stress from symptoms (p = 0.036). ## What it means for you More physical activity may help reduce some premenstrual symptoms like pain and concentration problems. The study was very small, only measured associations, and cannot prove physical activity causes symptom improvement. 53 Women studied 57.7% Had severe premenstrual tension symptoms 0.003 P-value for pain symptom association with physical activity ## About the study Original title Association Between Premenstrual Tension Syndrome and Menstruation Distress with Physical Activity Authors Iqra Tul Hussain, Amena Batool, Ayesha Iftikhar Journal THE SKY-International Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences (IJPESS) Year 2023 Study design Survey study Participants 53 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.51846/the-sky.v7i0.2184](https://doi.org/10.51846/the-sky.v7i0.2184) Original abstract This study explores the association between physical and recreational activities, length of menstrual flow and interpersonal bonds with premenstrual tension symptoms and correlation of stress with physical activity levels among women. Analytical study was conducted on 71 Premenstrual Tension Syndrome (PMTS) women with a history of dysmenorrhea and stress presented at least 1-2 weeks premenstrual; reported at least for two consecutive menstrual cycles excluding women with tumors, gynecological and endocrinological disorders. The study was conducted from (May to October 2022) at Basic Health Unit (Vario, Sialkot). A Modified Moos Menstrual Distress questionnaire (MDQ) and a self-designed questionnaire were used to collect the data. Results were analyzed using SPSS software 22 version. Mean age was 24.01±4.062 years (N=53, 74.6%) of participants were unmarried whereas (N=18, 25.44%) were married. Length of menstrual flow days was reported as 3 to 5 days (N= 33, 46.5%). Participants (N=41, 57.7%) had severe PMTS with (N=47, 66.2%) preferring to isolate themselves as interference of the symptoms, (N= 43, 60.6%) had stress eating. Chi-square test was observed for the PMTS symptom of pain with recreational and levels of physical activity (p=0.003 0.05); (p=0.00), Impaired concentration (p=0.001 0.05); (p=0.012) and negative effects (p=0.034 0.05); (p=0.02) whereas no significant association was found for behavior, autonomic reactions and water retention symptoms. Length of menstrual flow (p=0.009) and working activities (p=0.025) were correlated (p-value 0.05 ) with physical activity. However, Spear's man correlation between physical activity level and PMTS-induced stress had a weak correlation (p=0.036). Recreational and active levels of physical activity effectively reduce the severity of premenstrual tension symptoms. Reproduced under CC-BY-SA. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2024 Does yoga help reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2026 Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health? Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea? 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