The effect of physical activity and body mass index on menopausal symptoms in Turkish women: a cross-sectional study in primary care

Abstract

BackgroundConsidering the fact that, due to recent evidence, many women no longer prefer hormone replacement therapy, it is especially important to develop intervention options to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Although there is conflicting evidence concerning effectiveness, there is an indication that physical activity and weight control may be useful for alleviating symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity and body mass index on menopausal symptoms among menopausal women in Turkey.Methods305 women between the ages of 45 and 60 who visited the health center for various reasons were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Menopausal women, who visited one of five family physicians working in the same area, were included in the analyses. The Menopause Rating Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a generic medical and socio-demographic information questionnaire were used.ResultsWomen who were physically active had lower total menopausal (p < 0.001), somato-vegetative (p = 0.004), psychological (p = 0.002), and urogenital (p < 0.001) symptom scores than women who were less active. No differences in vasomotor symptoms were recorded related to physical activity level; significant differences were found for most menopausal symptoms, including sleep (p = 0.009) and sexual (p = 0.043) problems, joint and muscular discomfort (p < 0.001) and vaginal dryness (p = 0.016). BMI was not associated with total menopausal symptoms and with the subscales, excluding depressive mood (p = 0.009). A significant increasing trend in the rate of depressive mood was observed from normal through overweight to obese participants. The mean scores of the total menopausal symptoms were lower among the participants who were well educated, currently working and without chronic diseases.ConclusionsPhysical activity may play an important role in alleviating menopausal symptoms. As part of preventive medicine, primary care physicians should also stress lifestyle changes, including physical activity, to manage menopausal symptoms.

Quality of life among postmenopausal women in rural Minia, Egypt

“…We found that women with a normal BMI had a significantly lower total MRS score compared with underweight, overweight or obese women and this is consistent with another previous study (26). The association between obesity and vasomotor symptoms is contradictory.…”

Correlation of body mass index and age of menopause in women attending medicine and gynaecology department of a tertiary care centre

“…The body fat when higher is also a source of reproductive hormones thus interfering with the physiology of menopause. Postmenopausal symptoms in Turkish women were studied by Tan MN et al 9 In their study 305 women between ages 45 to 60 were recruited. They found though very contrary results by reporting BMI was not associated with total menopausal symptoms and the subscales, excluding depressive mood (p=0.009).…”

Atividade Física Na Saúde E Qualidade De Vida De Mulheres Climatéricas

“…12 Estudos mostram que a sintomatologia climatérica apresenta-se menos intensa entre as mulheres fisicamente ativas, quando comparadas às menos ativas e/ou sedentárias. 13,14 Tairova e De Lorenzi 15 mostraram em seu estudo que as mulheres de meia-idade, fisicamente ativas, apresentaram maior qualidade de vida nos domínios somato-vegetativos, urogenitais e psicológicos, quando comparados às mulheres sedentárias. Pesquisa de base populacional no nordeste brasileiro também mostrou que as mulheres climatéricas com maior nível de atividade física tinham maiores escores de qualidade de vida em comparação com as mulheres sedentárias.…”

“…[13][14][15]22 As mulheres praticantes de exercícios físicos, em nosso estudo, apresentaram menos sintomas somáti-cos e vasomotores que as mulheres não praticantes. A esse respeito, pesquisas têm mostrado resultados semelhantes, visto que mulheres com prática regular de exercícios físicos manifestaram menor intensidade de sintomas somáticos, alívio nas ondas de calor e fogachos, melhora do humor e da depressão.…”