Exercise Habits Influence Severity of Menstrual Symptoms, Research Reveals

Recent research conducted by the University of Tsukuba has unveiled that the intensity of menstrual-related symptoms, including dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, is significantly affected by an individual's exercise habits. The study emphasizes the necessity for personalized management strategies aimed at alleviating these symptoms, especially tailored to one's physical activity levels.

These findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Women's Health. It is known that around 90% of young women experience symptoms related to menstruation, which can considerably disrupt daily activities. Despite the prevalence of these symptoms, effective and individualized approaches to manage them are still largely lacking.

In this investigation, researchers employed a web-based questionnaire to evaluate and compare the severity of menstrual symptoms, personal characteristics, and lifestyle factors among two distinct groups: 99 young women who do not engage in regular exercise and 125 female soccer players who maintain a consistent exercise routine. The analysis revealed that the factors that influence the severity of menstrual symptoms are markedly different based on exercise habits.

Among the group of young women who do not exercise regularly, the key contributors to symptom severity included the duration of menstruation and perceived levels of stress. In contrast, for the group of athletes, factors such as body mass index (BMI), sleep patterns, caffeine consumption, and the habit of eating breakfast showed a significant correlation with the severity of their symptoms.

This research highlights the importance of recognizing that the factors affecting menstrual-related symptoms are not uniform but rather vary according to the individual's lifestyle choices, particularly their level of physical activity. The authors of the study advocate for a shift towards personalized approaches in managing these symptoms to enhance women's health and overall quality of life.