---
title: Does exercise help with PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Probably yes. Most of the studies reviewed found that being physically active is linked to fewer or milder PMS symptoms, though a couple of studies found the
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/correlation-between-physical-activity-and-premenstrual-syndrome-2022/
---

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- Does exercise help with PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2022

# Does exercise help with PMS symptoms?

Probably yes. Most of the studies reviewed found that being physically active is linked to fewer or milder PMS symptoms, though a couple of studies found the opposite.

 Early or limited evidence

Not a single group of women; this is a review of multiple existing studies on PMS and physical activity.

## What they did

The authors searched four research databases for studies published between 2000 and 2019 that looked at the link between physical activity and PMS, then summarised what those studies found.

## What they found

Of the studies reviewed, 8 found a positive link between physical activity or exercise and PMS (meaning more activity was linked to better PMS outcomes), while 2 found a negative link.

## What it means for you

Staying physically active seems generally helpful for PMS, but this is a review of other studies rather than a new trial, so it cannot prove exercise causes improvement, and it does not say how much or what type of exercise helps.

8

Studies showing a positive link

2

Studies showing a negative link

2000-2019

Years of literature searched

## About the study

Original title Correlation between Physical Activity and Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Uchechukwu Anthonia Ezugwu, Elizabeth Godwin Nseka, Chidiebele Petronilla Ojukwu et al. Journal Nigerian Journal of Medicine Year 2022 Study design Survey study What was tested Physical activity and exercise (reviewed across studies, not tested directly by the authors). Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4103/njm.njm_149_21](https://doi.org/10.4103/njm.njm_149_21)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[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

Randomised trial, 2026

Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS?

Lab study, 2026

Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD?

Cohort study, 2026

Are diet and lifestyle linked to premenstrual symptoms in college students?

Cohort study, 2026

Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how much physical activity women do?

Cohort study, 2026

Are stress, physical activity, and diet linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2026

Is yoga or aerobic exercise better for reducing PMS symptoms in adolescent girls?

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