The effect of physical activity and body mass index on menopausal symptoms

Objective: It is important to develop interventions to alleviate menopausal symptoms, especially many women no longer prefer hormone replacement therapy in regard with given recent evidence. Although there is conflicting evidence of their effectiveness, physical activity and weight control may be useful for improving symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity and body mass index (BMI) on menopausal symptoms among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.Method: In this cross-sectional study, 305 women aged 45-60 were selected randomly from five family physicians? lists, working in the same area. Menopause Rating Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and an information questionnaire were used.Results: Women who were physically active had lower total menopausal, somato-vegetative, psychological and urogenital symptom scores than women who were not active (p<0.05). No difference in vasomotor symptoms were recorded related with physical activity status but significant differences were found for most menopausal symptoms, including sleep, sexual and bladder problems, joint and muscular discomfort and dryness of vagina (p<0.05). BMI was not associated with total menopausal symptoms and with subscales, except depressive mood (p=0.009). Mean scores of total menopausal symptoms were lower among the participants who were well educated, already working, without chronic diseases and without chronic use of medications. Somato-vegetative symptoms were higher in smokers.Conclusion: Physical activity may play an important role in ameliorating menopausal symptoms. For primary care physicians lifestyle changes may be an opportunity not to be missed in terms of improving menapousal symptoms as well as preventive medicine.