The effect of diet and aerobic exercise on Premenstrual Syndrome: Randomized controlled trial

Elvan Yilmaz-Akyuz,Yasemin Aydin-Kartal

doi:10.1590/1678-9865201932e180246

Elvan Yilmaz-Akyuz, Yasemin Aydin-Kartal

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9865201932e180246

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of aerobic exercise and diet in female students with Premenstrual Syndrome Scale who were studying at the public university. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted in a public university in 2018. The population of the study was composed of all female first graders (N=426). The female students were followed-up for two cycles, premenstrual syndrome scale was administered to the students and premenstrual syndrome was found in 43.8% (n=187). However, 106 female students were included in the study divided in three groups (diet, aerobic exercise, control). The diet and aerobic exercise were administered during the three months. Results There was no significant difference in premenstrual syndrome scale mean scores between the post-intervention groups. However, the mean premenstrual syndrome score of the diet and aerobic exercise groups decreased significantly after the intervention. There was a significant difference in visual analogue scale score between the groups after intervention. Besides the students in exercise and diet groups experienced less dysmenorrhea intensity than the control group. Conclusion It was found that diet and aerobic exercise were effective in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea intensity in female students with premenstrual syndrome.

Highlights

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a disorder that is frequently seen in young adult women, affecting daily life, and showing dominant emotion fluctuations, especially in the late luteal phase of menstruation
There was no significant difference between the average age, Body Mass Index (BMI), age of menarche and menstrual cycle times in the aerobic, diet and control groups before the intervention (Table 1)
We found that 56.8% of female students with PMS had first degree relatives such as mothers or sisters with PMS

Summary

Introduction

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a disorder that is frequently seen in young adult women, affecting daily life, and showing dominant emotion fluctuations, especially in the late luteal phase of menstruation. It usually ends in a few days after menstruation begins [1]. Lifestyle changes include many methods including diet regulation and exercise. 30 minutes of aerobic exercise is recommended for at least 3 days per week to contribute to the regulation of both body composition, mood and to improve physical symptoms [8,9]. Balanced diet, reduction of salt, caffeine and refined sugar intake, restricted high and saturated fat, increasing the consumption of omega-3, magnesium, zinc, vitamins B and E are effective in reducing PMS symptoms [1,6,12,13,14,15]

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