Evidence was insufficient to show whether exercise is an effective treatment for vasomotor menopausal symptoms .
One small study suggested that HT is more effective than exercise .
Evidence was insufficient to show the relative effectiveness of exercise when compared with HT or yoga
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that many perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women will experience menopausal symptoms ; hot flushes are the most common .
Symptoms caused by fluctuating levels of oestrogen may be alleviated by hormone therapy ( HT ) , but a marked global decline in its use has result ed from concerns about the risks and benefits of HT .
Consequently , many women are seeking alternatives .
As large numbers of women are choosing not to take HT , it is increasingly important to identify evidence -based lifestyle modifications that have the potential to reduce vasomotor menopausal symptoms .
OBJECTIVES To examine the effectiveness of any type of exercise intervention in the management of vasomotor symptoms in symptomatic perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .
When, why and for whom there is a relationship between physical activity and menopause symptoms.
OBJECTIVES The relationship between enhanced physical activity and decreased menopause symptoms is equivocal . In this study we sought to better underst and this relationship by examining the association of physical activity to different symptom domains and by examining mediating and moderating variables . STUDY DESIGN Women participating in a r and omized control trial on physical activity  were given a menopause symptom measure ( MENQOL ) at follow-up . Of the 280 women participating , 113 ( mean age=52 ) reported having symptoms they attributed to menopause . Regression analyses were run to examine if change in physical activity predicted fewer symptoms .  Exercise self-efficacy was examined as a mediator and depressive symptoms as a moderator . RESULTS An increase in  physical activity  from baseline was found to be related to reporting fewer total menopause symptoms ( beta=-0.22 , p=.02 ) . When the total menopause symptoms score was examined by domain , increased physical activity was found to be related to reporting fewer general symptoms attributed to menopause ( psychosocial ( beta=-0.18 , p=.05 ) and physical ( beta=-0.23 , p=.01 ) ) , but had no effect on specific symptoms of menopause ( vasomotor and sexual ) . Exercise self-efficacy was found to mediate the relationship between increased physical activity and total , physical and psychosocial menopause symptoms . Finally , for individuals with high depressive symptoms , those who increased physical activity the most reported fewer sexual symptoms of menopause . CONCLUSION This study suggests that physical activity participation is associated with lower general symptom reporting as opposed to specifically impacting menopause symptoms . Further , exercise self-efficacy mediates the relationship between physical activity and general menopause symptoms , suggesting a psychological pathway
Evidence was insufficient to show whether exercise is an effective treatment for vasomotor menopausal symptoms .
One small study suggested that HT is more effective than exercise .
Evidence was insufficient to show the relative effectiveness of exercise when compared with HT or yoga
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that many perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women will experience menopausal symptoms ; hot flushes are the most common .
Symptoms caused by fluctuating levels of oestrogen may be alleviated by hormone therapy ( HT ) , but a marked global decline in its use has result ed from concerns about the risks and benefits of HT .
Consequently , many women are seeking alternatives .
As large numbers of women are choosing not to take HT , it is increasingly important to identify evidence -based lifestyle modifications that have the potential to reduce vasomotor menopausal symptoms .
OBJECTIVES To examine the effectiveness of any type of exercise intervention in the management of vasomotor symptoms in symptomatic perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .