Survey study, 2022
Does exercise help with PMS symptoms?
Probably yes. Most of the studies reviewed found that being physically active is linked to fewer or milder PMS symptoms, though a couple of studies found the opposite.
What they did
The authors searched four research databases for studies published between 2000 and 2019 that looked at the link between physical activity and PMS, then summarised what those studies found.
What they found
Of the studies reviewed, 8 found a positive link between physical activity or exercise and PMS (meaning more activity was linked to better PMS outcomes), while 2 found a negative link.
What it means for you
Staying physically active seems generally helpful for PMS, but this is a review of other studies rather than a new trial, so it cannot prove exercise causes improvement, and it does not say how much or what type of exercise helps.
8
Studies showing a positive link
2
Studies showing a negative link
2000-2019
Years of literature searched
About the study
- Original title
- Correlation between Physical Activity and Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Uchechukwu Anthonia Ezugwu, Elizabeth Godwin Nseka, Chidiebele Petronilla Ojukwu et al.
- Journal
- Nigerian Journal of Medicine
- Year
- 2022
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- Physical activity and exercise (reviewed across studies, not tested directly by the authors).
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4103/njm.njm_149_21
Topics
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