Weight Loss, Not Exercise, Helps With Night Sweats And Hot Flashes During Menopause
A lower BMI correlated to fewer bouts of hot flashes and night sweats for women in this study. Again, exercise alone had little or no effect on these particular symptoms.
Still, researchers don’t minimize the importance physical activity during menopause. Exercise plays a key role in helping women maintain a more healthy weight during all stages of life, especially during menopause.
In addition, studies have shown that even if exercise can’t alleviate hot flashes or night sweats, keeping physically active can help women maintain a more positive mental outlook and feel less anxious or stressed during menopause. An Australian study from the Queensland University of Technology examined the relationship between menopausal symptoms of women and a large number of life style and medical factors including age, education, general health, use of hormone replacement therapy, smoking, exercise and Body Mass Index (BMI).
“Exercise was effective in relieving psychological symptoms including depression and anxiety” as well as some of the body aches and pains associated with menopause according to the authors.
