--- title: Does physical activity reduce PMS symptoms? | Niyora description: Yes. Women who were more physically active (at least 3000 METs per week) had significantly lower total PMS symptoms, physical symptoms, and psychological symp url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-relationship-between-physical-activity-and-premenstrual-syndrome-in-female-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does physical activity reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2022 # Does physical activity reduce PMS symptoms? Yes. Women who were more physically active (at least 3000 METs per week) had significantly lower total PMS symptoms, physical symptoms, and psychological symptoms than less active women. Moderate study design 381 female university students in Japan ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 381 female university students in Japan. Researchers assessed physical activity levels and PMS symptoms using standard questionnaires, then divided students into two groups by activity level (3000 METs per week or more versus less) and compared symptom severity. ## What they found Women with 3000 or more METs per week of activity had lower total PMS symptom scores (p<0.01), lower physical symptom scores (p=0.01), and lower psychological symptom scores (p=0.01) compared to women with less activity. ## What it means for you Higher physical activity appears to reduce both physical and emotional PMS symptoms. The study is cross-sectional so it shows an association rather than proof of cause and effect. Results are from Japanese university students only. ≥3000 METs per week in more active group p<0.01 Significance for total symptom scores 381 Total students surveyed ## About the study Original title The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Premenstrual Syndrome in Female College Students Authors Chen CY, Kawabe R, Morino S et al. Journal Research Square Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 381 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1248368/v1](https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1248368/v1) Original abstract Background: In recent years, moderate physical activity has attracted the attention of experts and women as a way to cope with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Studies investigated the effects of exercise on PMS, but only a few reports focused on the relationship between physical activity, which included daily movement and exercise, and PMS. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between the amount of daily physical activity and PMS symptoms in sexually mature women. Methods A total of 381 female university students in Japan were surveyed using a paper or web-based questionnaire with the same content. The questionnaire consisted of basic information, PMS symptoms, and physical activity based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Participants were divided into two groups (≥ 3000 The Metabolic Equivalent of Task(MET)s/week and < 3000 METs/week) based on their total physical activity as calculated using the IPAQ guidelines. The two groups were then compared in terms of the severity of their PMS physical and psychological symptoms as calculated based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ PMS diagnostic criteria. The Wilcoxon's rank-sum test was used for statistical analyses. We then divided the participants based on the presence or absence of each symptom using the Chi-square test. The significance level was set at < 5%. Results Those with total physical activity of 3000 METs or more had lower total PMS symptom scores ( p < 0.01), physical symptom scores ( p = 0.01), and psychological symptom scores ( p = 0.01) compared with those with total physical activity of < 3000 METs/week. Conclusion These results suggest that people with moderate physical activity (≥ 3000 METs/week) in daily life have milder symptoms of PMS. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) 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. ## Related studies Survey study, 2025 Does physical activity help reduce PMS symptoms? Cohort study, 2023 Does physical activity reduce PMS in high school girls? Cohort study, 2023 Does recreational physical exercise reduce premenstrual symptoms in teenage girls? Survey study, 2022 Does physical activity reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2021 Does physical activity or age at first period affect how much PMS a teenage girl experiences? Survey study, 2019 What causes severe PMS in female college students with disabilities? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗