Randomised trial, 2015
Does aerobic exercise or fennel reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes. After 8 weeks, symptoms were significantly reduced in all intervention groups (fennel, exercise, or both) compared to no treatment, with the combination especially helpful for anxiety and depression.
What they did
A randomized trial of 48 high school girls aged 16-18. They were split into 4 equal groups: fennel only, exercise only, fennel plus exercise, or control (neither). Symptom severity was measured before starting, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks.
What they found
After 8 weeks, PMS symptom severity reduced significantly in the fennel group, exercise group, and fennel plus exercise group compared to control (P < 0.05). Fennel and exercise together appeared more effective for anxiety and depression than either one alone.
What it means for you
Both aerobic exercise and fennel extract help reduce PMS symptoms, and combining them may work better than either alone, especially for mood. The study was limited to high school girls and measured effects over just 8 weeks.
48
girls studied
8 weeks
duration of intervention
P < 0.05
statistical significance of symptom reduction
About the study
- Original title
- Comparing the effects of aerobic exercise and Foeniculum vulgare on pre-menstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Hassan Pazoki, Golbano Bolouri, Farah Farokhi et al.
- Journal
- Middle East Fertility Society Journal
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 48
- What was tested
- Aerobic exercise, fennel extract, or both
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.mefs.2015.08.002
Topics
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