Your New Year’s resolution to exercise more often could also help relieve some common symptoms of menopause. A new study done in Pennsylvania suggested that regular physical exercise may help reduce many of the menopausal afflictions that women deal with, including stress, anxiety and depression.
This approach seems much safer than hormonal replacement therapy for women afflicted by the effects of menopause, although the researchers admit that there doesn’t seem to be a significant relationship between exercise and the elimination of hot flashes.
There is, however, a substantial reduction in the levels of depression, anxiety and stress among women who are physically active. Women who do not engage in regular physical activity are much more likely to suffer from these negative symptoms.
The study is significant for several reasons. While exercise does not appear to impact some of temporary symptoms, such as hot flashes, it has a much more substantial effect on many of the long-term ailments that are associated with menopause.
The surprising aspect of the study was that the level of physical activity necessary to decrease the symptoms of menopause was minimal. Just walking a short distance as a part of a daily routine, for example, was enough to have a positive impact.
It was interesting to note that, as a group, black women tend to suffer more from menopausal symptoms than whites and that moderate exercise seems to have a more significant impact for this demographic as well.
One reason for hot flashes in women is a fluctuation of hormone levels which affect the brain’s center controlling body temperature.
Other research indicated that while exercise does not appear to reduce the number of hot flashes that menopausal women experience, those who are physically active tend to “care less about having them.”
This finding supports the psychological, as well as physical, benefits that exercise offers. The reduced levels of estrogen that accompanies menopause does lead to an increase of stress, anxiety and depression. The mental benefits of physical activity is significant in terms of reducing the intensity of these symptoms.
For more information on menopause visit the National Women’s Health Information Center.
Stay Healthy.
By: Tim D Wright