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Systematic review, 2025

Do different types of exercise help with PMS?

Yes, multiple types of exercise including aerobic exercise, yoga, swimming, and stretching all reduce PMS symptoms.

Strong study design Girls and women with PMS (from 20 randomized trials)

What they did

Systematic review of 20 randomized controlled trials from 2010 to March 2024, examining different exercise types for girls and women with PMS.

What they found

Aerobic exercise, stretching, yoga, swimming, combined exercise, pelvic rocking, and HIIT reduced mental and physical PMS symptoms including mood, pain, depression, and sleep quality.

What it means for you

Multiple exercise approaches appear helpful for PMS and are accessible. More research is needed to determine which types or amounts of exercise work best for different people.

1009

Articles initially screened

20

Randomized controlled trials included

About the study

Original title
The therapeutic effect of different exercises on premenstrual syndrome (PMS): a systematic review
Authors
F. Ahmadi, Mohammad Mehdi Khaleghi, Abdossaleh Zar
Journal
Comparative Exercise Physiology
Year
2025
Study design
Systematic review
What was tested
Various forms of exercise (aerobic, yoga, swimming, stretching, HIIT, pelvic rocking)

Topics