Moderate Aerobic Exercise for Managing Menstrual Cycle Symptoms

This study is looking at how moderate aerobic exercise affects menstrual cycle symptoms like Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Researchers want to see if exercising for 30 minutes, 3 to 5 days a week, can reduce physical and psychological menstrual symptoms in women who don't currently exercise much. They are also comparing results between women who use hormonal birth control and those who don't. The study will measure changes in your menstrual symptoms over two months. To join, you must be a woman between 18 and 40 years old, have regular periods, and not be pregnant or trying to get pregnant. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design: This interventional study plans to enroll 35 women. It will compare the effects of moderate aerobic exercise on menstrual symptoms.
What's involved: You would participate in moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 30 minutes per session, progressing from three to five days per week. Your menstrual symptoms will be measured at the start, after one month, and after two months.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Your symptoms will be monitored for two months after starting the exercise intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Moderate Aerobic Exercise for Managing Menstrual Cycle Symptoms

Recruiting

NAAges 18–40InterventionalTreatment

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

~35 participants

Updated 2025-07-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Moderate Aerobic Exercise

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Change from baseline in Menstrual Symptom Index (MSi) scores

Measured over Baseline, 1 month, and 2 months

+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Premenstrual Syndrome

Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual Distress (Dysmenorrhea)

Menstrual Bleeding, Heavy

NCT07084714

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center
Colorado Springs, Coloradono site contact published
Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Marissa Baranauskas, PhD

[email protected]

719-255-4475

Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

premenopausal (defined as having regular menstrual periods every 21-35 days)

either not using hormonal or non-hormonal contraceptives (i.e., intrauterine device) for the past 6 months OR using combined oral contraceptives (i.e., those that contain progesterone and estrogen) for at least the past 6 months

not currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant

sedentary lifestyle (score of "low activity/inactive" assessed using the IPAQ)

have self reported menstrual cycle symptoms (symptoms reported on the PSST or MSi)

do not have a medical diagnosis or signs/symptoms of diabetes, cardiovascular, or renal disease and are able to participate in moderate intensity physical activity without physician clearance

Exclusion

becoming physically active defined as scoring higher than "low activity/inactive" on the IPAQ during the first month of the study

non compliance with instructions provided for the moderate aerobic exercise intervention (i.e., not adhering to predetermined intensity heart rate targets) or miss more than 25% of exercise sessions in either intervention month

becoming pregnant during enrollment

being diagnosed with a cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disease that would require physical clearance to participate in moderate intensity aerobic physical activity

begin using hormonal or non-hormonal (i.e., intrauterine devices) contraceptives if assigned to the arm not using hormonal contraceptives

either begin a different type of contraceptive or discontinue combined hormonal contraceptive use if assigned to the hormonal contraceptive arm

What this trial measures

Change from baseline in Menstrual Symptom Index (MSi) scoresBaseline, 1 month, and 2 months
The MSi asks participants to report the intensity they are experiencing 18 menstrual related symptoms on a scale ranging from 0 = "do not feel at all" to 3 = "intense." A score of 0 indicates no symptom burden and 54 the maximum symptom burden.
Change from baseline in Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) - SymptomsBaseline, 1 month, 2 month
The PSST has participants report the intensity which they experience 14 premenstrual symptoms on a scale ranging from 0 = "not at all" to 3 = "intense". A score of 0 reflects no premenstrual symptom burden and a score of 42 indicates maximal premenstrual symptom burden.
Change from baseline in Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) - Quality of LifeBaseline, 1 month, 2 months
The PSST asks participants to report the severity by which premenstrual symptoms affect 4 functional aspects of life related to work, relationships with coworkers and family, and home responsibilities on a scale ranging from 0 = "not at all" to 3 = "severe". A score of 0 indicates no interference and 12 maximal interference.

Trialytics