Systematic review, 2025
Does being physically active help with period pain and PMS?
Yes, women with higher physical activity levels have significantly lower rates of period pain and PMS. Most studies were observational rather than experimental, so we cannot confirm that exercise causes these improvements.
What they did
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 82 observational studies with 101,413 women, comparing menstrual symptoms in those with low versus medium-high physical activity.
What they found
Lower physical activity was associated with higher odds of period pain (odds ratio 1.67, 21 studies), PMS (odds ratio 1.22, 18 studies), and cycle irregularity (odds ratio 1.73, 11 studies). Results for blood flow and cycle length were mixed.
What it means for you
Exercise appears protective for period symptoms and is low-cost and accessible. However, most included studies were cross-sectional and relied on self-reported activity, which limits the strength of the evidence.
101413
Women in 82 studies
1.67
Fold higher odds of period pain with low activity
1.22
Fold higher odds of PMS with low activity
About the study
- Original title
- Physical Activity and Menstrual Health Symptoms and Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
- Authors
- Buchanan-Smith LIM, Pang AH, Yeshitila NK et al.
- Journal
- Journal of women's health (2002)
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Physical activity levels (no/low versus medium/high)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/15409996251365804
Topics
Related studies
Non-randomised trial, 2026
Does video-guided digital menstrual exercise reduce PMS and period pain in adolescent girls?
Randomised trial, 2025
Does video-based Pilates exercise reduce PMS symptoms, stress, and pain?
Review, 2024
Does yoga help reduce period pain and premenstrual symptoms?
Cohort study, 2018
Do women with PMS or period pain use more complementary therapies like vitamins or yoga over time?
Survey study, 2018
How common are premenstrual symptoms in female workers, and does exercise help?
Cohort study, 2016
How many Australian women have PMS and do they use complementary medicine?