Impact of Moderate Aerobic Exercise on Menstrual Cycle Symptoms in Sedentary Women

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the impact of moderate aerobic exercise on menstrual symptom management in sedentary women both using and not using hormonal contraceptives. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is there a reduction in physical and/or psychological menstrual cycle related symptom burden with participation in moderate aerobic exercise for sedentary women using and not using hormonal contraceptives? Is there a difference in physical and/or psychological menstrual cycle related symptom burden between hormonal contraceptive and non-hormonal contraceptive users? Is a moderate aerobic exercise intervention more effective in reducing physical and/or psychological menstrual related symptom burden for sedentary women using or not using hormonal contraceptives? Participants will: * Have their body composition assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry pre and post exercise intervention. * Complete a Menstrual Symptom Index (MSi) to report daily menstrual cycle related symptom burden in addition to the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool (PSST) and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB) questionnaire monthly. * Utilize an at-home monitor to test urinary luteinizing hormone, estrone-3-glucuronide, and pregnanediol glucuronide approximately 10 times per month and report menstrual cycle length. * Record physical activity habits by continuously wearing a wrist-based accelerometer and chest-strap heart rate monitor during planned aerobic exercise sessions and complete the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) monthly. * Maintain their usual sedentary activity habits for one menstrual cycle followed by completion of an exercise intervention designed to progress individuals to meet minimum recommended aerobic physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week set by the American College of Sports Medicine for two menstrual cycles.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: Female
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 40
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• 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

Locations
United States
Colorado
William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center
RECRUITING
Colorado Springs
Contact Information
Primary
Marissa Baranauskas, PhD
mbaranau@uccs.edu
719-255-4475
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-07
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-08
Participants
Target number of participants: 35
Treatments
Experimental: Non-hormonal contraceptive users
Women who report regular menstrual periods every 21-35 days and have not used hormonal or non-hormonal (i.e., intrauterine device) contraceptives in the past 6 months.
Experimental: Hormonal contraceptive users
Women who are taking a combined oral contraceptive (i.e., those that contain a form of progesterone and estrogen) for at least the past 6 months.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov