---
title: Does exercise reduce mood problems during the menstrual cycle?
description: Exercise did not reduce negative moods like tension and depression before menstruation. However, exercise improved mood (vigor) during the mid-cycle phase and
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/an-exercise-effect-on-mood-during-the-menstrual-cycle-a-preliminary-1997/
---

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- Does exercise reduce mood problems during the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 1997

# Does exercise reduce mood problems during the menstrual cycle?

Exercise did not reduce negative moods like tension and depression before menstruation. However, exercise improved mood (vigor) during the mid-cycle phase and produced better overall mood stability.

 Early or limited evidence

Regular exercisers and non-exercisers (numbers not specified)

## What they did

Cross-sectional study comparing regularly exercising women to non-exercising women. Mood was assessed at two phases: premenstrual (2-3 days before menstruation) and mid-cycle (14 days after start of menstrual flow) using the Profile of Mood States questionnaire.

## What they found

Non-exercising women had significant mood variations between premenstrual and mid-cycle: increased tension (p<0.001), depression (p<0.05), reduced vigor (p<0.05), and increased total mood disturbance (p<0.01). Exercising women had more stable overall mood, but exercise did not reduce tension and depression during the premenstrual phase. Exercise improved vigor in mid-cycle for exercisers.

## What it means for you

Exercise may help overall mood stability across your cycle but doesn't specifically reduce premenstrual tension or depression. The reasons why are unclear, and the exact sample size was not specified.

2

cycle phases measured

6

mood factors in questionnaire

## About the study

Original title An exercise effect on mood during the menstrual cycle: A preliminary Investigation Authors Craig A. Mahoney, Lisa Michelle Smith Journal The Irish Journal of Psychology Year 1997 Study design Survey study What was tested Regular exercise Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/03033910.1997.1010558159](https://doi.org/10.1080/03033910.1997.1010558159)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)

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