Survey study, 2008
Does exercise improve menstrual symptoms?
Yes. Women who did fitness exercises for 12 weeks had fewer physical and emotional symptoms before their period and much less painful periods.
What they did
250 university students in Iran did fitness exercises twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session lasted 90 minutes and included cardio, strength training, and agility work at moderate intensity. They filled out questionnaires about menstrual discomfort before and after the program.
What they found
After 12 weeks, women reported fewer physical symptoms before their period, fewer emotional symptoms before their period, and significantly less severe period pain. There was no change in how many women had very few or no periods.
What it means for you
Exercise may help reduce period symptoms, especially period pain. However, this was a small study with no control group of women who didn't exercise, so we can't be completely sure exercise alone caused the improvement.
250
Participants
12 weeks
Program duration
90 minutes
Session length
About the study
- Original title
- Influence of a physical fitness course on menstrual cycle characteristics
- Authors
- Jahromi MK, Gaeini A, Rahimi Z
- Journal
- Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 250
- What was tested
- 12-week fitness program, twice per week, 90 minutes per session
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/09513590802342874
Topics
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