Physical exercise and vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.
BACKGROUND
The mechanisms causing postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms are unknown, but changes in hypothalamic beta-endorphins have been suggested to be involved. beta-endorphin production may be increased by regular physical exercise.


OBJECTIVE
To assess if physically active women suffered from vasomotor symptoms to a lower extent than sedentary women.


METHODS
All women (n = 1323) in the ages ranging from 55-56 years in the community of Linköping Sweden, were included. In a questionnaire these women were asked about their physical exercise habits and their complaints from vasomotor symptoms. Only those 793 women who had reached a natural menopause were grouped into sedentary, moderately or highly active women, based on a physical activity score.


RESULTS
Only 5% of highly physically active women experienced severe hot flushes as compared with 14-16% of women who had little or no weekly exercise (P < 0.05; relative risk 0.26; CI 95%: 0.10-0.71). This was not explained by differences in body mass index, smoking habits or use of hormone replacement therapy. Women who used hormone replacement therapy were more physically active than non-users (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Fewer physically active women had severe vasomotor symptoms compared with sedentary women. This may be due to a selection bias but also to the fact that physical exercise on a regular basis affects neurotransmitters which regulate central thermoregulation.
Ivarsson
T
T
Department of Health and Environment, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Spetz
A C
AC
Hammar
M
M
D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires