Exercise improves mental wellbeing during menopause, study finds

A systematic review and meta-analysis led by University College London (UCL) highlights the benefits of physical exercise for women during perimenopause and the early years of menopause. Published in the journal ‘Menopause’, the study evaluated twelve randomized controlled trials involving over 1,000 women aged 40-65 from seven countries, including Brazil, China, Tunisia, India, Iran, South Korea, and the United States.

Researchers categorized activities into two groups: aerobic exercises (such as walking, Zumba, and Taekwondo) and mind-body connection activities (such as yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, and stretching). The findings indicate that aerobic exercise showed the strongest results in reducing depressive symptoms and improving overall quality of life, likely due to increased endorphin release. These interventions can help mitigate psychological symptoms associated with hormonal changes, such as depression, anxiety, stress, and difficulties with memory and cognition.