High Physical Activity Level May Reduce Menopausal Symptoms

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Menopause is a normal physiological change occurring at a woman’s mid-life. During this time, women experience vasomotor, physical and physiological problems, which reduce their quality of life. Many women are searching for different, alternative methods to reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms. Physical activity (PA) is one of the recommended methods to reduce menopausal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between specific domains (physical activity during leisure time, at work, during transportation and household activities) and the menopausal symptoms. Materials and Methods: We included 305 women aged 40–65 in the study. All participants were divided into three groups according to menopausal status. The research tools used were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess physical activity level in four domains and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms. The data analysis was performed by Chi-square test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Tuckey test. Results: Menopausal stage was significantly associated with the total MRS score (p < 0.001) and specifically the urogenital and somato–vegetative subscores (p < 0.001). Physical activity was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with leisure time (according to IPAQ domains). Most postmenopausal women had high PA level (59.66%). Significantly less women with high PA levels had severe urogenital symptoms: 10.82% of participant with a low PA level, 11.15% with a moderate PA level and 4.26% with a high PA level (p = 0.046). Conclusions: Physical activity during leisure time is associated to menopausal symptoms in Polish women. Women with high and moderate PA levels have less severe menopausal symptoms compared to inactive women. Middle-aged women with low PA levels at work suffer from more severe somato–vegetative symptoms.

Physical Activity Level, Insomnia and Related Impact in Medical Students in Poland

“…IPAQ-SF is a self-reported questionnaire evaluating the PA level among adults ranging from 15 to 69 years of age [ 32 ]. This measurement has shown reliability and validity within different contexts, including the Polish population [ 33 ]. The IPAQ-SF consists of 7 items and records PA at vigorous intensity (hard effort, causing an increased breathing rate and heartbeat, e.g., running, aerobics, sport cycling, tennis), moderate-intensity activities (average effort with a slightly increased breathing rate and heartbeat, e.g., swimming, yoga, or recreational cycling) and walking (marching, Nordic walking, walking).…”

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].…”

Physical activity improves sleep quality in women

“…The guidelines also encourage adults to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, as any, even the smallest dose of physical activity is better than total lack of PA [5]. The results of the most recent studies show that approximately 27% of middle-aged women meet the guidelines for physical activity [6,7]. Middle-aged women may experience many mental and somatic disorders that reduce their quality of life.…”