Exercise for period cramps: Tips & stretches for pain relief
Written by Lauren McKay
Lauren McKay
Lauren McKay is a writer and journalist with more than ten years of experience writing across a variety of topics. She is a passionate advocate for driving women’s health knowledge and is a trained yoga teacher. She earned a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow and currently lives in Scotland.
Fact checked by Dr. Carlotta Favaro PhD, Scientist at Natural Cycles
Dr. Carlotta Favaro PhD
Dr. Carlotta Favaro is a particle physicist by education, with a PhD from the University of Zurich earned at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). She currently works as a Data Scientist for Natural Cycles in the field of women’s reproductive health. She has several years of experience in fundamental scientific research, and currently lives in Switzerland.
Key takeaways:
- Gentle movement on your period can help relieve pain and may also boost your mood
- Consider trying low-impact exercises like yoga, swimming or walking
When you’re plagued with cramps, bloating, and fatigue, the last thing you might want to do is work out. But studies show that exercise can be an optimal treatment for symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and period pain. [1] Movement during menstruation won’t just distract you from the discomfort; it can have some more concrete benefits such as decreased pain, soreness, cramping, and inflammation. [2]
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