---
title: Does aerobic exercise or fennel reduce PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes. After 8 weeks, symptoms were significantly reduced in all intervention groups (fennel, exercise, or both) compared to no treatment, with the combination
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comparing-the-effects-of-aerobic-exercise-and-foeniculum-vulgare-on-pre-2015/
---

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- Does aerobic exercise or fennel reduce PMS symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2015

# Does aerobic exercise or fennel reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes. After 8 weeks, symptoms were significantly reduced in all intervention groups (fennel, exercise, or both) compared to no treatment, with the combination especially helpful for anxiety and depression.

 Moderate study design

48 high school girls aged 16–18 years

## What they did

A randomized trial of 48 high school girls aged 16-18. They were split into 4 equal groups: fennel only, exercise only, fennel plus exercise, or control (neither). Symptom severity was measured before starting, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks.

## What they found

After 8 weeks, PMS symptom severity reduced significantly in the fennel group, exercise group, and fennel plus exercise group compared to control (P < 0.05). Fennel and exercise together appeared more effective for anxiety and depression than either one alone.

## What it means for you

Both aerobic exercise and fennel extract help reduce PMS symptoms, and combining them may work better than either alone, especially for mood. The study was limited to high school girls and measured effects over just 8 weeks.

48

girls studied

8 weeks

duration of intervention

P < 0.05

statistical significance of symptom reduction

## About the study

Original title Comparing the effects of aerobic exercise and Foeniculum vulgare on pre-menstrual syndrome Authors Hassan Pazoki, Golbano Bolouri, Farah Farokhi et al. Journal Middle East Fertility Society Journal Year 2015 Study design Randomised trial Participants 48 What was tested Aerobic exercise, fennel extract, or both Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.mefs.2015.08.002](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mefs.2015.08.002)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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