Hormone Exercise is a structured movement practice for women, based on the Aviva Method.
The practice combines rhythmic movement, pelvic-focused exercises, breathing and body awareness.
We believe women deserve access to clear, honest information about the practices they choose for their bodies.
Research into the Aviva Method itself is still developing. At the same time, there is a much broader body of research exploring movement, pelvic health, menstrual health, reproductive function, stress, menopause and women’s wellbeing.
On this page, we bring these areas together.
What has been studied directly?
What does the wider research tell us?
And why are these areas scientifically interesting?
RESEARCH ON THE AVIVA METHOD
A small but growing number of published studies have investigated the Aviva Method directly.
These studies are particularly relevant because they examine the movement practice on which Hormone Exercise is based.
MENSTRUAL PAIN
A 2024 study investigated an Aviva exercise programme in 78 women with primary dysmenorrhea — menstrual pain that occurs without another diagnosed pelvic condition.
The women practised a 30-minute Aviva exercise programme twice a week over two menstrual cycles.
The researchers found a significant reduction in menstrual pain in the exercise group compared with the control group.
The study is particularly interesting because the exercises were not simply general physical activity. They were a structured sequence of rhythmic movements performed specifically as an Aviva exercise intervention.
The researchers also measured body awareness, exploring whether participants became more aware of internal bodily sensations. While the study found a significant effect on pain, it did not find a statistically significant overall difference in body awareness.
READ THE FULL STUDY →
PubMed — The Effect of Aviva Exercise Intervention on Pain Level and Body Awareness
UTERINE BLOOD FLOW
A separate study investigated whether a structured exercise programme could influence uterine artery blood-flow characteristics in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
The researchers measured the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries using Doppler ultrasound.
Doppler measurements are commonly used in medicine to assess blood-flow patterns through blood vessels. In reproductive medicine, uterine and ovarian blood flow have been investigated because adequate circulation is important for the tissues of the reproductive system.
The study reported significant differences in uterine artery pulsatility index between the exercise and control groups, together with changes in menstrual pain.
This makes the research particularly interesting when exploring the possible physiological effects of pelvic-focused movement.
READ THE FULL STUDY →
PubMed — Uterine Artery Blood Flow & Dysmenorrhea
Full text — Journal of Clinical Medicine
WHAT DOES THIS RESEARCH MEAN?
The two studies above give us an important starting point.
One investigated menstrual pain and body awareness.
The other investigated uterine artery blood-flow measurements and menstrual pain.
Together, they raise interesting questions about how structured, rhythmic movement may interact with the pelvic region and the experience of menstrual pain.
The research is still relatively small, so larger and more rigorous clinical trials will help us understand how consistent these findings are and which women may benefit most.
That is exactly why continued research matters.
WHY PELVIC CIRCULATION IS AN AREA OF INTEREST
Pelvic circulation is not a new or alternative concept in medicine.
Blood flow to the uterus and ovaries is routinely studied in reproductive medicine, particularly in relation to follicular development, ovarian function, embryo transfer and implantation.
OVARIAN BLOOD FLOW
Research has investigated the relationship between ovarian blood flow and follicular development.
Doppler ultrasound can be used to observe vascular changes around developing follicles and within ovarian tissue.
This has made ovarian vascularisation an important area of investigation in reproductive medicine.
READ THE RESEARCH →
PubMed — Ovarian vascularisation and follicular development
UTERINE BLOOD FLOW & REPRODUCTION
Uterine artery blood flow has also been studied in relation to the endometrium, embryo transfer and pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers use Doppler ultrasound to measure characteristics such as blood-flow velocity and vascular resistance.
These measurements can provide information about the vascular environment of the uterus.
EXPLORE THE RESEARCH →
PubMed — Uterine artery blood flow & reproductive outcomes
For Hormone Exercise, this research provides useful physiological context.
It helps explain why movement through the pelvis and circulation are interesting areas to investigate, without requiring us to assume that a change in blood flow automatically produces a fertility outcome.
MOVEMENT, STRESS & THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Hormone Exercise combines rhythmic movement, breathing and body awareness.
One reason these elements are interesting in women’s health is the relationship between stress physiology and reproductive function.
The reproductive system does not operate independently from the rest of the body.
The brain, endocrine system, adrenal glands and reproductive organs communicate continuously through interconnected hormonal signalling pathways.
One of the key systems involved is the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG axis).
Another is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), which is central to the body’s stress response.
Research has shown that these systems interact with one another.
PubMed — Stress and the Reproductive Axis
When stress signalling is prolonged, it can influence reproductive hormone signalling at several levels of the HPG axis.
This is one reason researchers are interested in the relationship between stress, nervous-system regulation and reproductive health.
It also provides a biological context for practices that combine movement, breathing and body awareness.
WHY HORMONE EXERCISE IS A GENTLE PRACTICE
Hormone Exercise is designed as rhythmic, moderate movement, rather than high-intensity training.
The exercises involve repeated movements through the pelvis, hips and lower abdomen together with breathing and body awareness.
There is an important distinction in exercise science between regular moderate movement and very high training loads combined with inadequate energy availability.
Research has shown that prolonged energy deficiency, particularly when combined with high exercise loads, can interfere with reproductive hormone signalling and menstrual function.
PubMed — Energy availability & menstrual disturbances
This does not mean that exercise is harmful to menstrual health.
In fact, regular physical activity is generally associated with many health benefits.
The important message is that more exercise is not always better.
The body needs sufficient energy, recovery and balance to support normal physiological function.
This is part of the thinking behind a movement practice that is rhythmic, accessible and sustainable.
Movement does not have to be extreme to be meaningful.
WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY ABOUT FERTILITY?
Fertility is one of the most rapidly developing areas of women’s health research.
Scientists are investigating how physical activity, metabolic health, stress, circulation and lifestyle factors interact with reproductive function.
A particularly interesting recent pilot study investigated supervised physiotherapy-based exercise in women with diminished ovarian reserve.
The study included 24 women, divided into an exercise group and a control group.
The exercise group completed a three-month supervised exercise programme alongside the standard oral treatment used in the study.
The researchers observed higher AMH levels in the exercise group and reported spontaneous pregnancies in 7 of 12 women in the exercise group compared with 1 of 12 in the control group.
PubMed — Exercise, AMH & spontaneous pregnancy
This is interesting early evidence, but the study was small and combined exercise with another intervention. The authors themselves describe it as a pilot study and call for larger trials.
Importantly, this study was not an Aviva or Hormone Exercise study.
Its value is in showing that the relationship between structured movement and reproductive health is an active area of scientific investigation.
There is also an ongoing randomised clinical trial investigating a specific reproductive exercise programme in women with diminished ovarian reserve.
Read about the ongoing clinical trial
PCOS & EXERCISE
PCOS is one of the areas where exercise has been studied extensively.
Research suggests that regular exercise can influence several of the metabolic pathways involved in PCOS, particularly insulin sensitivity, body composition and androgen metabolism.
A recent meta-analysis examined 22 randomised controlled trials involving women with PCOS and found improvements in several metabolic and hormonal measures, including testosterone and fasting insulin.
READ THE META-ANALYSIS →
PubMed — Exercise & PCOS meta-analysis
Other systematic reviews have similarly investigated exercise as part of lifestyle management in PCOS.
PubMed — Exercise interventions in PCOS
The broader picture is important: PCOS involves metabolic as well as reproductive pathways, which is why movement is increasingly considered an important part of overall PCOS management.
ENDOMETRIOSIS & PELVIC HEALTH
Endometriosis is a complex inflammatory and pain condition, and pelvic pain can involve muscles, nerves, connective tissue and the nervous system as well as the endometriosis lesions themselves.
This is one reason physiotherapy and movement-based approaches have become an important area of research.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis examined physiotherapy interventions for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.
The researchers found evidence that physiotherapy approaches may reduce pain in women with endometriosis.
PubMed — Physiotherapy for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain
This is particularly relevant to the wider field of pelvic health because it demonstrates that the way the pelvis moves, functions and responds to load can be clinically meaningful.
For women living with endometriosis, movement may therefore be one component of a broader, individualised approach to managing symptoms and supporting quality of life.
POSTPARTUM MOVEMENT
Pregnancy and birth create major changes in the abdominal wall, pelvic floor, connective tissues and musculoskeletal system.
Recovery is therefore not simply about “getting back to exercise”.
It is about gradually restoring strength, coordination, pressure management, mobility and confidence in movement.
Research has increasingly explored remotely delivered and professionally guided pelvic-floor rehabilitation.
A 2025 randomised controlled study investigated a telehealth pelvic-abdominal rehabilitation programme in postpartum women.
PubMed — Telehealth pelvic-floor rehabilitation after childbirth
Research of this kind is important because it shows that structured rehabilitation can be delivered in different ways while still focusing on the relationship between the pelvic floor, abdominal wall and the rest of the body.
Postpartum movement should always be adapted to the individual woman, her birth experience, symptoms and stage of recovery.
PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE
Menopause is not simply a change in reproductive hormones.
The decline in ovarian hormones affects multiple systems, including bone, muscle, cardiovascular health and metabolism.
This is one reason movement becomes particularly important during midlife.
Large reviews of exercise research have found positive effects of exercise on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
One systematic review and meta-analysis included 80 studies and more than 5,500 participants, finding positive effects of exercise on bone mineral density at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip.
PubMed — Exercise & bone mineral density after menopause
More recent research continues to investigate which combinations of aerobic, resistance, impact and mind-body exercise may be most useful for different aspects of bone health.
2026 systematic review & network meta-analysis
Hormone Exercise offers women one gentle, structured way of keeping regular movement and body awareness in their lives through the menopausal transition.
FIBROIDS & ADENOMYOSIS
Fibroids and adenomyosis are conditions involving the uterus, but they are very different from one another and can affect women in different ways.
Fibroids are benign growths of the uterine muscle.
Adenomyosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows within the muscular wall of the uterus.
Both conditions can be associated with heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain.
Medical research has extensively investigated the blood supply of fibroids. One established treatment, uterine artery embolisation, works by deliberately reducing blood flow to fibroid tissue.
Research on uterine artery embolisation for fibroids — PubMed
This is an interesting example of how closely vascular biology and uterine health are connected.
For women with fibroids or adenomyosis, however, the appropriate form and intensity of exercise depends on symptoms, diagnosis and individual circumstances.
WHAT WE KNOW — AND WHAT WE ARE STILL EXPLORING
The science of women’s health is developing rapidly.
Some studies investigate the Aviva Method directly.
Others investigate exercise, pelvic health, reproductive physiology, stress, PCOS, endometriosis, postpartum recovery or menopause more broadly.
These different layers of research answer different questions.
Direct Aviva research helps us understand the specific movement practice.
Broader exercise research helps us understand the physiological systems that movement can influence.
And emerging research helps us identify the questions that deserve further investigation.
We believe all three are valuable.
OUR APPROACH TO EVIDENCE
We don’t believe women need exaggerated promises to feel inspired to move.
The science is already interesting.
Our role is to keep learning, to communicate research clearly and to distinguish between established findings, emerging evidence and areas that still need investigation.
BE CURIOUS.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE.
STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR BODY.
KEEP RESEARCHING.
Hormone Exercise is a movement practice designed to support women’s wellbeing, movement confidence and body awareness.
It is intended to complement — not replace — appropriate medical care when diagnosis or treatment is needed.
FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
LET’S KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING
We welcome conversations with doctors, fertility specialists, physiotherapists, pelvic-health professionals, researchers and other healthcare practitioners who would like to understand Hormone Exercise and the research behind it.
We believe women benefit when movement practices and healthcare professionals can be in conversation with one another.
We are committed to presenting the research openly — including the studies that investigate the Aviva Method directly and the wider scientific research that helps us understand movement and women’s health.
If you are a healthcare professional and would like to learn more about the method, its structure or the research behind it:
CONTACT US →
A NOTE ON EVIDENCE
Research is one part of understanding any movement practice.
A single study cannot answer every question.
A promising result needs to be tested in larger groups, with stronger study designs and longer follow-up.
This is how science progresses.
For this reason, we distinguish between:
DIRECT EVIDENCE
Research conducted on the Aviva Method itself.
RELATED EVIDENCE
Research on exercise, pelvic health, reproductive health, stress, menopause and women’s wellbeing more broadly.
EMERGING EVIDENCE
New research that is helping us understand questions that have not yet been fully answered.
This distinction allows us to be both enthusiastic about what the research is showing and honest about what still needs to be explored.
KEEP EXPLORING
The science of women’s health is evolving.
So is our understanding of how movement, circulation, the nervous system, the pelvis and the reproductive system interact.
There is still much to learn.
And that is exactly what makes this field so interesting.
Explore the research.
Ask questions.
Stay curious.
Keep moving.
Your body is yours to understand.
Science can help you understand it better.
Last updated: 2 October 2026