Background and Aim: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea are common issues among girls, characterized by psychological and physical symptoms before menstruation and menstrual pain, respectively. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and thyme supplementation on dysmenorrhea and PMS in adolescent girls.
Materials and Methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures. A total of 40 high school female students from Kerman were randomly assigned to four groups: aerobic exercise, supplementation, combined exercise and supplementation, and a control group. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was used to assess the severity of dysmenorrhea, the Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool (PSST) for PMS symptoms, and the McGill Pain Questionnaire for pain perception. The intervention included specified intensity and duration of aerobic exercises, thyme supplementation in capsule form, and a combination of both for the intervention groups. The control group received no intervention. Questionnaires were completed before the intervention and after its conclusion. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA.
Results: Results indicated significant differences in dysmenorrhea and PMS symptoms between the control group and the aerobic exercise group as well as the combined exercise and supplementation group. However, no significant difference was observed between the supplementation-only group and the control group.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that aerobic exercise significantly reduces PMS and dysmenorrhea symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular physical activity in managing these issues. Additionally, combining aerobic exercise with thyme supplementation further improves women's conditions, while thyme alone does not show significant effects. Therefore, it is recommended that women incorporate aerobic exercises alongside supplements into their routines to achieve optimal results.