Study of Moderate Aerobic Exercise Effects on Menstrual Symptoms in Sedentary Women Using or Not Using Hormonal Contraceptives

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how moderate aerobic exercise affects menstrual symptoms in sedentary women, including those who use hormonal contraceptives and those who do not. The study aims to find out if exercise can reduce physical and psychological menstrual symptoms and whether these effects differ between hormonal contraceptive users and non-users. This research focuses on women with regular menstrual cycles and explores symptom changes over time. Participants will engage in a moderate aerobic exercise program progressing from three to five 30-minute sessions per week, aiming to meet the guideline of 150 minutes of aerobic activity weekly over two menstrual cycles. The exercise intensity is targeted at a moderate level, measured by heart rate and perceived exertion. The study includes two groups women not using hormonal or non-hormonal contraceptives for at least six months and women using combined oral contraceptives for at least six months. During the study, participants will have body composition assessed before and after the exercise program using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. They will also complete daily and monthly questionnaires about menstrual symptoms and bleeding, test hormone levels at home about ten times monthly, and wear devices to monitor physical activity and heart rate during exercise sessions. The main measurements will track changes in menstrual symptom scores over baseline at one and two months. The total participation spans three menstrual cycles, including one cycle of usual activity and two cycles of the exercise intervention.

Moderate Aerobic Exercise for Managing Menstrual Cycle Symptoms