---
title: Does exercise help or hurt women's menstrual health? | Niyora
description: Moderate exercise improves menstrual regularity and reproductive health. But excessive exercise without enough nutrition can cause loss of periods, weak bones
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-physical-exercise-on-the-female-reproductive-system-2013/
---

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- Does exercise help or hurt women's menstrual health?

Review, 2013

# Does exercise help or hurt women's menstrual health?

Moderate exercise improves menstrual regularity and reproductive health. But excessive exercise without enough nutrition can cause loss of periods, weak bones, and eating disorders.

 Early or limited evidence

Review article

## What they did

Reviewed research on how physical activity affects women's reproductive system and hormones.

## What they found

Extreme exercise combined with low energy intake causes female athlete triad (missing periods, bone loss, and eating disorders). Normal exercise improves menstrual regularity, ovulation, fertility, reduces belly fat, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol, decreases testosterone levels, and improves depression and anxiety.

## What it means for you

Women need moderate exercise for reproductive health. Too much intense exercise without enough nutrition is harmful, while normal physical activity helps prevent reproductive diseases and improves mental health.

## About the study

Original title Effects of physical exercise on the female reproductive system Authors Orio F, Muscogiuri G, Ascione A et al. Journal Minerva endocrinologica Year 2013 Study design Review Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24126551/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24126551/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)[Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-pcos/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/)

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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