Recent evidence exploring the associations between physical activity and menopausal symptoms in midlife women: perceived risks and possible health benefits

Abstract

Although the health benefits of physical activity are well established, the prevalence of midlife women accumulating sufficient physical activity to meet current physical activity guidelines is strikingly low, as shown in United States (U.S.) based surveillance systems that utilize either (or both) participant-reported and device-based (i.e., accelerometers) measures of activity. For midlife women, these low prevalence estimates may be due, in part, to a general lack of time given more pressing work commitments and family obligations. Further, the benefits or "reward" of allocating limited time to physical activity may be perceived, by some, as too distant for immediate action or attention. However, shifting the health promotion message from the long term benefits of physical activity to the more short-term, acute benefits may encourage midlife women to engage in more regular physical activity. In this article, we review the latest evidence (i.e., past 5 years) regarding the impact of physical activity on menopausal symptoms. Recent studies provide strong support for the absence of an effect of physical activity on vasomotor symptoms; evidence is still inconclusive regarding the role of physical activity on urogenital symptoms (vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence) and sleep, but consistently suggestive of a positive impact on mood and weight control. To further advance this field, we also propose additional considerations and future research directions.

Effectiveness of Educational Intervention Based on Transtheoretical Model on Physical Activity and Menopausal Symptoms

“…Rindner et al found the intervention group experienced a slight reduction in symptoms while the control group mostly experienced the opposite [ 47 ]. This study indicated a reduction in anxiety and depression scores over time age which is similar to other findings [ 48 , 49 ]. Results also demonstrated reduced vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction.…”

Physical Activity and Physical Function

“…The Gabriel et al review noted that a significant positive impact of PA on psychological symptoms was consistently observed across most studies. 12 In SWAN, participants meeting guidelines for moderate intensity exercise had lower odds of clinically significant depressive symptoms, and the finding persisted over ten years. 24 Karacan et al reported positive benefits with reduced depressive mood, irritability, anxiety and exhaustion after 3 and 6 months of an intervention that included an aerobic exercise program.…”

“…While PA is recommended to address vasomotor symptoms of menopause, the impact on menopausal symptoms is not conclusive. A review by Pettee Gabriel et al 12 presents the evidence on the relationship between PA and vasomotor symptoms of menopause, primarily hot flashes and night sweats. While evidence from several cross sectional studies reported a significant association between PA (measured by self-report and accelerometry) and self-reported vasomotor symptoms, more recent prospective cohort studies showed variable results.…”

Menopausal symptoms, physical activity level and quality of life of women living in the Mediterranean region

“…This association between PA and psychosomatic symptoms can be mediated by several psychological and physiological mechanisms, including the diversion of stressful stimuli, increased levels of endorphins and improvement in self-efficacy and cerebral aminergic synaptic transmission [43][44][45]. Moreover, PA can improve women's sexual life by reducing the vaginal dryness and increasing the lubrication, due to a better vascularization and peripheral oxygenation [41,46]. Concerning the musculoskeletal health, it reduces muscle loss, increases bone density, maintains motor skills and decreases risk of fractures [47].…”