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Randomised trial, 2022

Does yoga reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes, yoga significantly reduced multiple PMS symptoms including pain, water retention, and mood changes in adolescent girls.

Moderate study design 30 adolescent girls aged 14-17 with PMS

What they did

This was a randomized controlled trial with 30 girls aged 14 to 17. Half did yoga (asanas and breathing exercises) 45 minutes daily for 10 weeks under supervision. The other half did no specific activity. Researchers measured PMS symptoms before and after using a menstrual distress questionnaire.

What they found

The yoga group had significant reductions in pain, water retention, autonomic reactions, negative mood, impaired concentration, behavior change, and arousal compared to the control group (t=6.31, p<0.01).

What it means for you

Yoga may help reduce multiple PMS symptoms. The study is very small and only included young teenagers, so results may not apply to adult women.

30

girls

45

minutes daily

10

weeks

About the study

Original title
Effect of Yogic intervention on Premenstrual Syndrome among Adolescence
Authors
Riddhi Sahu, Suresh Lal Barnwal
Journal
Dev Sanskriti Interdisciplinary International Journal
Year
2022
Study design
Randomised trial
Participants
30
What was tested
Yoga (asanas and breathing exercises) 45 minutes daily for 10 weeks
Open access
Yes
Original abstract

Background: Premenstrual Syndromes (PMS) are major public health issues that have a significant impact on one's mental health. Additional healthcare costs, absenteeism from work, and activity restrictions all add to the economic burden of such a disorder. Yoga as a therapeutic regimen has been shown to be useful to individuals with mental health and premenstrual syndrome. Aim of the study: The present study was conducted to assess the effect of Yogic intervention on Premenstrual syndrome among Adolescence. Methodology: 30 students were selected from the Government Girls Higher secondary school with ages ranging from 14 to 17 years (group average age±SD 38.37±5.52 years). They all filled Modified Moos menstrual Distress questionnaire before and after the yogic intervention. They were randomly divided into Control and Experimental group. The participants in experimental group did Yoga for 45 minutes each day for 10 weeks under supervision of a female yoga therapist whereas those in control group did not do any such specific activity. Results: Data were analyzed using paired sample t-test. There was a statistically significant reduction in the pain, water retention, autonomic reactions, negative effect, impaired concentration, behavior change, arousal, Control in yoga group as compared to control group. Computed t-value for all participants (i.e., 6.31) has been found significant for df = 28, P<0.01. Conclusion: Premenstrual syndrome can be alleviated by the Yogic Intervention. It is therefore possible to administer yogic intervention (asans and breathing exercises) to help alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in Adolescence girls.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

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