---
title: Does aerobic exercise reduce premenstrual symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes. After three months, women who did aerobic exercise improved more on PMS symptoms than those who did non-aerobic exercise, especially for depression.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-aerobic-exercise-on-premenstrual-symptoms-in-middle-aged-women-a-1993/
---

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- Does aerobic exercise reduce premenstrual symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1993

# Does aerobic exercise reduce premenstrual symptoms?

Yes. After three months, women who did aerobic exercise improved more on PMS symptoms than those who did non-aerobic exercise, especially for depression.

 Early or limited evidence

23 healthy premenopausal women

## What they did

Twenty-three healthy women who were not yet menopausal had their premenstrual symptoms measured at baseline. They were then divided into groups doing either aerobic exercise or non-aerobic/strength training for three months, with symptoms reassessed after.

## What they found

The aerobic exercise group significantly increased aerobic capacity and improved more on premenstrual symptoms, especially depression, compared to the non-aerobic group. Both groups showed general improvement in many PMS symptoms.

## What it means for you

Aerobic exercise may help PMS symptoms more than other types of exercise, particularly depression, but this is a small preliminary study so more research is needed.

23

women studied

3

months of exercise

## About the study

Original title The effects of aerobic exercise on premenstrual symptoms in middle-aged women: a preliminary study Authors Steege JF, Blumenthal JA Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 1993 Study design Randomised trial Participants 23 What was tested 3 months of aerobic exercise vs non-aerobic/strength training Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(93)90079-u](https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(93)90079-u)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)

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