Exercise and menopause

Females who undergo menopause face health-related challenges that can disrupt and reduce their quality of life. Due to the increase in life span, a significant portion of our female population lives through this transition in their reproductive life. The most predominant factors that reduce the quality of life in menopausal females are the associated symptoms such as vasomotor and psychological symptoms and other health risks such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Although effective therapeutic strategies such as hormone replacement therapy are available to manage menopause symptoms, the risk factor of hormone replacement therapy, the risk of developing breast cancer, is a barrier to opting for treatment. Physical activity in the aging population is generally associated with improved functional fitness and a better quality of life. Similarly, exercise and physical activity in menopausal years can alleviate/reduce the symptoms of menopause. The benefits of exercise among older females are many and not only pertain to the symptoms of menopause. They include its effectiveness in preventing obesity, cutting the risk of chronic conditions such as type-2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, along with improved bone and muscle health. Overall, incorporating physical activity and exercise as a lifestyle modification during and beyond menopause is an inexpensive and noncontroversial strategy to improve/maintain health in older females. This chapter describes menopause and its associated symptoms and health risk and discusses how physical activity and exercise overcomes those challenges and affects a positive health outcome in menopausal females.