---
title: Do aerobic exercises help women with premenstrual syndrome symptoms?
description: Yes, aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, and running are effective in improving PMS symptoms, especially physical symptoms. Study quality was moderat
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-aerobic-exercises-in-improving-premenstrual-symptoms-among-healthy-2022/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Do aerobic exercises help women with premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Systematic review, 2022

# Do aerobic exercises help women with premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes, aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, and running are effective in improving PMS symptoms, especially physical symptoms. Study quality was moderate and more long-term research is needed.

 Moderate study design

492 healthy women with premenstrual symptoms across 5 randomized controlled trials

## What they did

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials published from inception through February 2022. Identified 5 trials with 492 total participants. Common exercises were walking, swimming, and running. Used standard tools to assess study methodology and risk of bias.

## What they found

Aerobic exercise was effective in improving physical and physiological symptoms of PMS. Moderate evidence was found for improving blood-related measures during PMS. Many studies had poor allocation concealment and lack of participant blinding.

## What it means for you

Aerobic exercise appears helpful for PMS symptoms and is an accessible non-drug option. However, the studies had methodological weaknesses including poor blinding and allocation concealment. More high-quality long-term studies examining quality of life are needed.

5

Randomized controlled trials included

492

Total participants studied

4.8/10

Average study quality score

## About the study

Original title Effect of Aerobic Exercises in Improving Premenstrual Symptoms Among Healthy Women: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials Authors Ravichandran H, Janakiraman B Journal International journal of women's health Year 2022 Study design Systematic review What was tested Aerobic exercise (walking, swimming, running) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s371193](https://doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s371193)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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

Randomised trial, 2026

Does yoga or Pilates help reduce PMS symptoms?

Systematic review, 2026

Do mindfulness and relaxation techniques help with PMS symptoms?

Systematic review, 2025

How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling?

Systematic review, 2026

Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms?

Lab study, 2026

Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2026

Does yoga or Pilates help manage PMS symptoms?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗