---
title: Does yoga practice reduce PMS symptoms and improve heart function?
description: Twelve weeks of regular yoga improved heart rate variability and stress response measures, with decreases in blood pressure and heart rate.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/impact-of-asana-and-pranayama-on-heart-rate-variability-and-cardiac-autonomic-2025/
---

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- Does yoga practice reduce PMS symptoms and improve heart function?

Non-randomised trial, 2025

# Does yoga practice reduce PMS symptoms and improve heart function?

Twelve weeks of regular yoga improved heart rate variability and stress response measures, with decreases in blood pressure and heart rate.

 Early or limited evidence

49 young, healthy female students with moderate PMS

## What they did

49 young, healthy female students with moderate PMS received 12 weeks of yoga training (asana and pranayama). Heart rate variability and cardiac autonomic function tests were measured before and after.

## What they found

After 12 weeks of yoga, there were significant improvements in heart rate variability measurements (SDNN). Both systolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower. Tests showed reduced activation of the stress response system.

## What it means for you

Regular yoga practice may help reduce the physical stress response in women with PMS. However, the study was small with no comparison group, so the improvements could be due to other factors or natural variation. Results apply only to young, healthy women and may not extend to others.

49

women with moderate PMS

12

weeks of yoga training

3

menstrual cycles tracked

## About the study

Original title Impact of Asana and Pranayama on Heart Rate Variability and Cardiac Autonomic Functions in Young Femaleswith Premenstrual Syndrome: An Interventional Clinical Trial Authors Pai A, Shetty L, Bhasin G et al. Journal La Clinica terapeutica Year 2025 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Twelve weeks of asana and pranayama yoga training Read the paper [doi.org/10.7417/ct.2025.5171](https://doi.org/10.7417/ct.2025.5171)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[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/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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