The impact of physical activity on menopausal symptoms in middle‐aged women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of physical activity on climacteric symptoms among middle-aged women in Brazil. METHODS: A population-based sample of women aged 40-65 years was recruited from Natal, Brazil. Enrollment took place in basic health units in each health district of the city from June to September 2011. Data were collected while women waited for routine appointments at the health units. Climacteric symptoms were assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale and the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index. The level of physical activity was assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. It was classified as low, moderate, or vigorous. RESULTS: The mean age of the 370 participants was 49.8 ± 8.1 years. They were predominantly white (72.7%), married (61.6%), non-smokers (93.5%), and had undergone high-school education (70.5%). All domains of climacteric symptoms were significantly affected by physical activity: psychological (P<0.001); somatovegetative (P<0.001); and urogenital (P=0.008). Significant differences were found between the IPAQ groups of physical activity and the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index for the following symptoms: hot flashes (P<0.001); paresthesia (P=0.022); insomnia (P<0.001); impatience (P<0.001); depression (P<0.001); vertigo (P<0.001); fatigue (P<0.001); arthralgia/myalgia (P<0.001); and palpitation (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Physical activity improved climacteric symptoms among middle-aged women in Brazil.