--- title: Does the menstrual cycle affect pain relief from exercise? | Niyora description: No, the menstrual cycle phase does not affect how much pain relief women get from exercise. Pain relief and other physical responses were similar in both the url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-role-of-the-menstrual-cycle-phase-in-pain-perception-before-and-after-an-2009/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the menstrual cycle affect pain relief from exercise? Non-randomised trial, 2009 # Does the menstrual cycle affect pain relief from exercise? No, the menstrual cycle phase does not affect how much pain relief women get from exercise. Pain relief and other physical responses were similar in both the follicular and luteal phases. Early or limited evidence 20 young women ## What they did 20 young women performed an isometric muscle contraction (squeezing a muscle at 25% of maximum effort until fatigue) twice: once during the mid-follicular phase and once during the mid-luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. Pain perception (threshold and ratings), anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured before and after each contraction. ## What they found After the exercise, pain thresholds increased and pain ratings decreased in both menstrual cycle phases equally. Anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate also increased similarly regardless of cycle phase. ## What it means for you The menstrual cycle phase does not change exercise-induced pain relief. However, this is a very small study with only 20 women and looked only at one specific type of pain relief, so findings may not apply to PMS symptoms or other types of pain. The study was not blinded or controlled. 20 Young women studied 25% Maximum voluntary contraction intensity 2 Menstrual cycle phases tested ## About the study Original title The role of the menstrual cycle phase in pain perception before and after an isometric fatiguing contraction Authors Hoeger Bement MK, Rasiarmos RL, DiCapo JM et al. Journal European journal of applied physiology Year 2009 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Isometric muscle contraction at 25% of maximum voluntary contraction Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-0995-8](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-0995-8) ## Topics [Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Survey study, 2020 Can teaching about yoga techniques improve girls' knowledge about managing PMS? Survey study, 2022 What diet, stress, and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2021 Does the menstrual cycle affect women's ability to train and compete? Randomised trial, 2018 Does swimming reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Guideline, 2016 Can education improve understanding and management of PMS in blind teenage girls? Randomised trial, 2026 Can deep breathing exercises help with PMS pain and mood symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗