The Impact of Physical Activity on Menopausal Symptoms Among Women: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Menopause is a natural biological process characterized by the cessation of menstruation and a decline in estrogen levels, leading to various symptoms such as hot flashes, mood disturbances, and sleep disorders. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common treatment, concerns about its side effects have led many women to seek alternative therapies. Physical activity has been proposed as a non-pharmacological approach to alleviate menopausal symptoms. This systematic review aims to evaluate the association between physical activity and menopausal symptoms in women. Methodology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies included were observational, involving perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, assessing physical activity levels and menopausal symptoms using validated tools. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Discussion: The review found that moderate physical activity is associated with a reduction in psychosocial and physical menopausal symptoms. The collective findings from this systematic review demonstrate a consistent association between physical activity and the alleviation of menopausal symptoms. Conclusion: This systematic review highlights the growing body of evidence supporting physical activity as a safe, accessible, and non-pharmacological intervention for alleviating menopausal symptoms. The findings reveal that women who engage in regular physical activity whether aerobic, resistance-based, or mind-body exercises like yoga report notable improvements in vasomotor symptoms, psychological well-being, sleep quality, and musculoskeletal health.