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 .
Changes in physical activity and health outcomes in a population–based cohort of mid–life Australian–born women
Abstract : Cross – sectional studies and intervention programs have suggested that physical activity is a potential contributor to the health and wellbeing of mid – life and older women . This prospect i ve longitudinal study investigates whether natural changes in physical activity are associated with changes in health outcomes in a population –based cohort of Australian – born women aged 45–55 years living in Melbourne . Of the 352 women from the Melbourne Women 's Midlife Health Project who filled in a base – line physical activity question naire , 292 ( 83 per cent ) were evaluated around three years later with regard to physical activity , psychological wellbeing , self – rated health , symptoms experienced , body mass index ( BMI ) , blood pressure and serum lipids . Mean ( SD ) physical activity measured at base – line was 5.9 ( 5.7 ) hours/week , or 1496 ( 1449 ) kcal/week ; mean ( SD ) change in physical activity per week was 0.05 ( 5.24 ) hours , or 44 ( 1347 ) kcal , indicating that although mean change was small there was substantial variation in change . There were significant increases in BMI ( P < 0.001 ) , wellbeing ( P < 0.05 ) , the number of reported menopause – related symptoms , and high – density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL – C ) levels ( P < 0.001 ) , and a decrease in low – density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL – C ) levels ( P < 0.05 ) . Change in level of physical activity was positively associated with change in HDL – C ( P < 0.01 ) and change in wellbeing ( P= 0.08 ) and negatively associated with change in coronary heart disease risk score . By increasing physical activity in mid – life , women may reduce at least one risk factor ( HDL – C ) associated with coronary heart disease
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 .