PMS Guide |

It is generally believed that if a woman is in good physical condition, she will rarely experience premenstrual syndrome or she will only notice mild symptoms. Doctors always encourage women to schedule exercise programs into their daily routines. However, while it is true that physically fit women usually have few complaints about premenstrual problems, sometimes women who appear to be in excellent shape say that they exercise and still suffer from PMS. The question is: How much does a woman exercise? Physical exertion can be overdone to the point of causing hormonal imbalance.

When excessive physical activity, such as jogging, cycling, strenuous dance, results in complete amenorrhea, the disappearance of menstruation, periods probably stop because the constant exercise causes weight loss and a change in hormone balance. This hormonal shift blocks the release of the brain hormones FSH and LH. Women who are physically active need high blood counts to carry added oxygen to their muscles, and a woman who is not menstruating usually has a blood count that is higher than average. So, nature is adjusting to bodily need. The body is also protecting itself by providing less chance for anemia to occur. If a thin, active woman menstruates and experience a heavy loss of blood, she may easily become anemic.

Also, the hormonal change that causes amenorrhea may influence premenstrual syndrome. Although a woman with amenorrhea is less likely to experience PMS, she is not immune to the syndrome. Her body is building up estrogen, which is remaining in her system because she does not have a monthly menstrual flow. If she becomes tense and headachy, she is showing signs of PMS from estrogen overload, and a reduction of physical activity may make an important difference.

Moderation in exercise is one way to keep PMS in check. Hormones, especially those in the brain, are extremely sensitive to a woman’s daily regiments - diet, exercise, sleep patterns - and these hormones can rise or fall if a woman suddenly allows a routine activity either to become excessive or to vanish. Some can enhance the menstrual cycle by alleviating the stress that might disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, but if a woman notices that her inner harmony or menstrual flow become radically different, she should think about whether her chosen exercise program should be modified.