Menopause is a term that means you’ve had your last menstrual cycle or period. This typically occurs between the ages of 48 and 55. Prior to that time women notice gradual changes in the frequency, regularity or amount of their menstrual flow. One’s flow normally becomes lighter and the interval longer between each period. Cycle length may also become shorter or erratic. This is due to progressive reductions in estrogen during the 5 to 10 years leading up to menopause.
Menopause can be accompanied by a number of physical changes or symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances and emotional ups and downs. Many women experience only mild symptoms; others have more difficulty. In the years following menopause, risk for various health problems such as heart disease and osteoporosis increases. What is the role of exercise during this life transition?
Can exercise eliminate or reduce some of the symptoms of menopause?
Some research suggests that women who are physically active may have fewer and milder vasomotor symptoms (including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances) than sedentary women. Menopause is a time of transition often coinciding with other life changes (body, family structure, relationships, job, self-identity). Exercise has a significant and positive impact on mood and has been shown to be particularly helpful in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
Can exercise reverse or prevent any of the physical changes occurring as a result of menopause?
Exercise has no influence on what age you experience menopause. (Smokers go through menopause earlier than non-smokers, so that’s a good reason to kick the habit.)
Many women claim they gain weight during or after menopause (especially in their stomach region) and feel that it might be associated with the hormonal changes they’re experiencing. Many studies have found that weight gain after menopause is more likely in women who are sedentary than in women who maintain a physically active lifestyle. Exercise appears to have a more powerful influence on a woman’s total body fat and abdominal fat during early menopause than hormone replacement therapy.
If a woman does gain weight during her postmenopausal years, the pattern of fat deposition will probably look different. This is because a woman’s sex hormones seem to promote the "pear" shape instead of the "apple" shape. A woman who has always deposited fat in her hips and thighs may find that she now gains fat in her stomach and waist. Unfortunately, this switch to abdominal and visceral (inside around your organs) fat storage is associated with increased heart disease and diabetes risk. So it really pays to find activities you enjoy that keep your body fit and your waist trim!
Estrogen appears to confer a "protective effect" on women when it comes to diseases such as osteoporosis and heart disease. When estrogen levels drop, women become more vulnerable to these health problems. Exercise can step in and provide it’s own "protective effect". The five years following menopause are normally a time of rapid bone loss. Strength training and weight-bearing exercise can help you keep the bone you have, while sedentary women are losing bone mass. Regular cardiovascular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and type II diabetes, lower blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, increase insulin sensitivity and prevent weight gain. There are a lot of reasons to keep moving!
Women may experience more urinary stress incontinence (poor bladder control) after menopause. This is because the pelvic floor muscles atrophy when estrogen levels drop. Pelvic floor muscles control urination, defecation and support the sexual organs. Many women benefit from the regular performance of pelvic floor or "Kegel" exercises. Check with your doctor if incontinence has become a problem for you to make sure you are performing these exercises properly and that you receive other medical treatment if necessary. Your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist who is trained in this area and uses specialized techniques to help you learn how to strengthen these important muscles.
Are there certain types of exercise which are particularly important during menopause?
A generally active lifestyle is the key. However, a woman’s aging body will benefit from three major types of activity:
Recreational activities such as tennis, dance, martial arts, etc, can provide additional muscle and bone-building benefits and increase your fun factor! And don’t forget those pelvic floor exercises!
Older bodies require more diligence about warm-up. Allow 10 minutes of gradual warm-up at the beginning of your exercise sessions. This should include low-level cardiovascular exercise (walking, cycling) and range of motion exercises (gentle movement). Many experts feel that programs to preserve or recapture flexibility and strength are the key to injury prevention and improved performance.
Exercise should add enjoyment and energy to your life, so find ways of moving that give you pleasure along with better health. Many women enjoy activities such as hiking, golf, skiing, gardening, dancing (ballroom, folk, modern, jazz) or yoga. Find your own activity niche and invite your friends, neighbors or family members to join you. Exercise can be a great way to stay connected with those we love or build new relationships.
How does exercise compare with hormone replacement therapy in protecting my body’s health through menopause?
The decision to take hormone replacement therapy is a personal one that is best made with the guidance of your family doctor or gynecologist, who understands your individual health status and risks. Exercise and hormone replacement therapy can work in partnership to protect your bones and improve pelvic floor muscle tone. There are certain risks to HRT that make it an unwise choice for many women. However, EVERY woman can benefit from regular exercise in a variety of ways. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper, and there are no unwanted side effects except for occasional muscle soreness and a healthy glow to your cheeks!
Updated: 10/2/2009