Health promotion strategies and quality of life among postmenopausal women: A systematic review of evidence from 2016–2024

Menopause, the permanent cessation of menstruation, marks a critical transition in women’s health. In India, menopause occurs earlier (mean age 46.2 years) than the global average of 51 years, increasing vulnerability to physical and psychological problems. Health promotion through lifestyle modification, preventive screening, and education is essential for improving the quality of life (QoL) of postmenopausal women. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on health-promotion interventions and their impact on the physical, psychological, and social well-being and QoL of postmenopausal women. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles published between 2016 and 2024 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies were published in English, and methodological quality was assessed using the RoB 2 and JBI critical appraisal tools. A total of 24 studies involving 31,359 participants met the inclusion criteria. The interventions primarily included lifestyle modification, health education, physical activity, mindfulness, and aromatherapy. Seventeen studies (70.8%) reported significant improvements in menopausal symptoms, quality of life, or psychological well-being. Overall, health-promotion interventions improved menopausal symptoms, health-promoting behaviors, and quality of life among postmenopausal women. Educational, lifestyle-based, and complementary interventions showed promising benefits; however, findings should be interpreted with caution because of heterogeneity across study designs. Further research should focus on culturally appropriate, sustainable interventions, particularly in resource-limited settings.