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 .
Applied relaxation and oral estradiol treatment of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE The aim was to evaluate and compare the effects of applied relaxation and oral estradiol treatment on hot flushes , mood and psychological wellbeing in postmenopausal women . PATIENTS AND METHODS In a prospect i ve study , 30 postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms were r and omized to applied relaxation or oral estradiol treatment during 12 weeks with 6 months follow-up . Number and severity of flushes were registered daily and Kupperman 's Index and a general estimate of climacteric symptoms , Mood Scale and Symptom Check List were completed at baseline , 4 , 8 and 12 weeks of treatment , and 3 and 6 months after therapy . RESULTS After 12 weeks of treatment , the number of flushes/24 h decreased significantly over time in both treatment groups . In the group receiving applied relaxation , the mean number of flushes/24 h decreased from 6.0 ( 95 % CI 4.5 - 7.6 ) to 3.0 ( 95 % CI 2.1 - 3.9 ) after 12 weeks of treatment . The mean number of flushes/24 h was 1.7 ( 95 % CI 0.7 - 2.5 ) at 6 months follow-up ; i.e. a 72 % decrease . In the estrogen group , the mean number of flushes/24h decreased from 8.4 to 0.8 ; i.e a 90 % decrease in the number of flushes after 12 weeks of treatment . The significant change in flushes reached after 12 weeks of treatment and remained to 6 months after end of treatment in both groups . Estrogen therapy reduced flushes significantly faster than applied relaxation .  General climacteric symptoms according to the Visual Analogue Scale and the Kupperman 's Index decreased significantly over time in both groups . General mood ( Mood Scale ) increased significantly in the estrogen group , but not in the group receiving applied relaxation .  Psychological wellbeing according to Symptom Checklist , increased significantly from baseline to 12 weeks in both groups . CONCLUSIONS We suggest that applied relaxation may be used as an alternative treatment of vasomotor symptoms for postmenopausal women but should be further evaluated
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 .