Survey study, 2017
Does physical activity reduce PMS symptoms?
Physical activity did not reduce how often women had PMS. However, it did reduce the severity of anxiety, anger, migraines, and abdominal bloating. The study cannot prove activity caused this because it was cross-sectional.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 408 female students. Researchers asked them about PMS symptoms and physical activity using standard questionnaires.
What they found
Of 408 students, 83.5% had PMS. Approximately 48% had weak physical activity, 41% moderate, and 11% severe. Physical activity did not significantly affect how often women had PMS (p=0.384). However, severity of anxiety (p=0.041), anger (p=0.012), migraine (p=0.018), and abdominal blotting (p=0.042) all decreased with more activity.
What it means for you
Exercise may not prevent PMS but might help reduce some symptoms. The study was cross-sectional, so we cannot prove activity caused improvement. Most students were sedentary or lightly active, which limits conclusions about more active women.
83.5%
had PMS
p=0.384
PMS frequency vs activity (not significant)
p=0.041-0.042
anxiety, anger, migraine, bloating improved
About the study
- Original title
- Investigation of prevalence and severity of premenstrual syndrome and its relationship with exercise among female students in Bushehr University of Medical Sciences
- Authors
- Fatemeh Najafi-Sharjabad, Fatemeh Borazjani, Zahra Avazzadeh
- Journal
- Pajouhan Scientific Journal
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 408
- What was tested
- Measuring physical activity levels using questionnaire
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.21859/psj-15037
Topics
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