---
title: Does exercise help with PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes. Exercise reduces both physical symptoms like pain, constipation, and breast tenderness, and psychological symptoms like anxiety and anger.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-exercise-on-premenstrual-symptoms-a-systematic-review-2020/
---

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- Does exercise help with PMS symptoms?

Systematic review, 2020

# Does exercise help with PMS symptoms?

Yes. Exercise reduces both physical symptoms like pain, constipation, and breast tenderness, and psychological symptoms like anxiety and anger.

 Strong study design

Women with premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

They searched 3 international databases from inception to April 30, 2018 for studies on exercise and premenstrual symptoms. They examined 361 studies and selected 17 that met inclusion criteria.

## What they found

Exercise was effective in improving physical symptoms such as pain, constipation, and breast sensitivity. It also improved psychological symptoms such as anxiety and anger. Although there is no clarity on all symptoms, exercise has a symptom-reducing effect.

## What it means for you

Women with PMS can benefit from exercise. The main limitation is that the review did not specify which types of exercise are best or how much is needed.

361

studies initially examined

17

studies included in final review

April 30, 2018

search end date

## About the study

Original title Effect of exercise on premenstrual symptoms: A systematic review Authors Yesildere Saglam H, Orsal O Journal Complementary therapies in medicine Year 2020 Study design Systematic review What was tested Exercise (various types, not specified) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102272](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102272)

## Topics

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

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