Review, 2013
Does exercise help or hurt women's menstrual health?
Moderate exercise improves menstrual regularity and reproductive health. But excessive exercise without enough nutrition can cause loss of periods, weak bones, and eating disorders.
What they did
Reviewed research on how physical activity affects women's reproductive system and hormones.
What they found
Extreme exercise combined with low energy intake causes female athlete triad (missing periods, bone loss, and eating disorders). Normal exercise improves menstrual regularity, ovulation, fertility, reduces belly fat, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol, decreases testosterone levels, and improves depression and anxiety.
What it means for you
Women need moderate exercise for reproductive health. Too much intense exercise without enough nutrition is harmful, while normal physical activity helps prevent reproductive diseases and improves mental health.
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of physical exercise on the female reproductive system
- Authors
- Orio F, Muscogiuri G, Ascione A et al.
- Journal
- Minerva endocrinologica
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Review
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24126551/
Topics
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