Supervised Aerobic Training Can Reduce Period Pain

According to a new study published in the journal Contemporary Clinical Trials an aerobic exercise regime can reduce period pain and improve long-term quality of life.

Over a seven-month period, researchers conducted a trial with women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea (also known as period pain) to see how exercise might benefit.

The women took part in a supervised aerobic training session three times per week for a month, followed by unsupervised exercise at home for another six months. Their results were compared to a control group who did not change their exercise habits.

At the end of the study, it was found that the women who took part in the exercise program experienced 6% less pain in the first month, and 22% less pain after the additional six months. They were also found to have significantly improved daily functioning and quality of life.
Senior Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) Dr Leica Claydon-Mueller, said:

“Women who have painful periods often take steps to actively avoid exercise - after all when you are in pain it is often the last thing that you want to partake in.

However, this trial demonstrated that exercise significantly reduced pain for those people taking part in the program, and they also reported reduced pain levels after four and seven months."

If you experience painful periods and would like to find an exercise program that works for you, our experienced Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists can help! Email [email protected] or call us on 07 3706 3407.