IntroductionMost women experience significant changes in their general health status during menopause, which negatively affects their quality of life. Physical activity has also been shown to enhance quality of life. However, little is known about the effect of physical activity on women’s health during the menopausal transition. This study aimed to determine the relationship between physical activity and general health among menopausal women in Ahvaz, Iran.MethodsThis cross sectional study was carried out on 600 menopausal women using cluster random sampling during 2013–2014. Data collection tools were three questionnaires; women’s demographic characteristics, the Goldenberg’s questionnaire, and International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS version 19. The statistical tests were performed at the 95% confidence interval.ResultsThere was a significant relationship between the total score of physical activity and physical health, social functioning, anxiety and depression (p<0.05), but no significant relationship was found between subscales related to physical activity and general health (p>0.05).ConclusionPhysical activity is effective in improving general health in menopausal women. Proper training and effective interventions for regular physical activity can be important steps to promote the general health of menopausal women.

Objectives: Health promotion leads to a higher quality of life among women. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between menopausal symptoms and general health among women with menopause. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional, 600 postpartum women in Ahvaz, Iran were selected and recruited using the randomized cluster sampling method during 2013-2014. The data were collected by the women’s demographic characteristics instrument, as well as the Goldenberg’s and menopausal symptoms questionnaires. In addition, descriptive statistics and logistic regression were employed for data analysis by the SPSS software, version 19. The statistical tests were performed at 95% confidence interval. Results: As regards the menopausal symptoms, sleep disorders (39%), myalgia (42.7%), and hot flashes (32.5%) were reported as moderate, severe, and very severe, respectively. Further, 50.2% of the participants had impaired general health. Finally, job, hot flashes, sleep disorders, myalgia, depression, and aggressiveness were associated with general health (P<0.05). Conclusions: In general, there is a need to improve public health and reduce menopausal symptoms among postmenopausal women since menopause is changed to a crisis in a woman’s life.