Women are adjusting how they work out depending on where they are in their period, and this idea called 'cycle syncing' is getting a lot of attention on TikTok.

Videos about the trend say that women should change their workouts based on the phase of their menstrual cycle they are in, like when they're menstruating, getting close to ovulation, or during another part of their cycle. Some creators suggest doing lighter exercises when someone is on their period and saving the more intense workouts for other times.

A new study looking at cycle-syncing content on TikTok found that a lot of the advice comes from people who aren't healthcare professionals, which means the information might not be trustworthy.

So, does working out based on your period actually help?

Why Are Women Cycle Syncing Their Workouts?

Cycle syncing is a trend where women adjust their exercise routines based on the different stages of their menstrual cycle. The main idea comes from the belief that hormone levels change during the cycle and can influence things like energy, strength, and how someone feels while working out.

On TikTok, some creators recommend doing a different workout during each stage of the menstrual cycle. They might suggest easier exercises like walking, yoga, or Pilates when someone is on their period, and encourage more vigorous workouts during other times.

More women are liking this trend because it helps them feel more connected to their bodies during their workouts. But not everything you see online is from doctors or backed by solid science.

What Did the Study Find About Cycle-Syncing TikToks?

Researchers examined 160 TikTok videos that talked about cycle syncing to check how accurate and helpful the information was. The videos together got 18.9 million views, which shows how popular the trend has become online.

Out of the 160 videos, only 14 were uploaded by healthcare professionals, which is about 9%. Most of the videos, about 98%, showed a positive opinion about cycle syncing. Also, 83% of them talked about how women should adjust the kinds of exercises they do during different times of their menstrual cycle.

However, the researchers noticed that the general quality of education in the videos was not very good. About 80% of the videos also promoted a product using affiliate marketing, and most of those products were connected to cycle syncing.

The researchers mentioned that people should know some of the information about cycle syncing found on social media might not be correct, and that doctors and other healthcare experts could help share more accurate and reliable information online.

Does Your Menstrual Cycle Affect Exercise Performance?

During the menstrual cycle, hormone levels change naturally, which can influence how some women feel when they exercise. Some people might notice changes in their energy, mood, cramps or other symptoms at various times during their cycle.

However, this doesn't mean that every person will feel better or more tired during a certain part of their menstrual cycle. People's experiences can vary a lot, and even the same person might feel different things in different cycles.

Studies haven't found enough evidence to suggest that women need to do certain exercises during each stage of their menstrual cycle. This suggests that adjusting your workouts based on your menstrual cycle might not work exactly the same for every person.
You can figure out when to try harder and when to go slower by noticing how your body feels while you're exercising.

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Should You Change Your Workout Based on Your Period?

It's okay to switch up your workout when you're on your period if you're feeling cramps, tired, or experiencing other symptoms that make it harder to exercise. Some people might feel more comfortable with lighter exercises, but others might still be okay doing their normal workouts.

The key point is that you don't need to stick to a particular workout plan just because you're going through a certain stage of your menstrual cycle. What works for one person might not work for someone else.

Instead of sticking to strict exercise routines from TikTok, you can listen to your body and change your workout as needed. If you often feel a lot of pain, feel very tired, or have other issues that make it hard to do physical activities, you should consider speaking with a doctor or healthcare professional.

Cycle syncing may help some women become more aware of how their bodies feel during exercise, but there isn't enough evidence to say that everyone needs to follow a specific workout for each stage of their menstrual cycle. TikTok can offer useful ideas, but the quality of health information varies. Instead, pay attention to your symptoms and adjust your workouts when needed.

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