Q. I just went through menopause. Now every so often I get hot flashes. My face gets quite red, and I feel real warm. Friends who have the same problem say that exercise, they are walkers, gives them some relief.
Most women experience hot flashes for several years after menopause.
And there's some evidence that exercise may reduce their intensity and frequency. For instance, a large group of postmenopausal Swedish women were recently asked if they were experiencing hot flashes. And, if so, to grade the experience, as either mild, moderate or severe, based upon how it influenced their daily activity. This study found that moderate and severe hot flashes were twice as common among sedentary women, as compared to women who exercise regularly. The reason is not clear.