Fitness Tips for Reducing Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is a phase of life that is unavoidable and uncomfortable for women. However, every woman will experience menopause differently. For some (lucky women), the symptoms are mild and pass rather quickly. For others, symptoms – including hot flashes, interrupted sleep, weight gain and unpredictable mood swings – can last for more than five years!

While menopause will bring with it some unpleasant side effects, this is not a time to fear or dread. At Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A., the good news is that we offer safe and effective menopause treatments.

Female hormones regulate menstruation, help keep bones strong and burn fat by consuming calories. Unfortunately, when women enter menopause, their hormone levels drop. This is the main reason why women gain weight, develop lifestyle diseases and get osteoporosis from menopause onwards. However, regular exercise can help prevent these health conditions from arising, ease the symptoms of menopause and relieve stress.

Why Fitness Is Important

Exercising before, during and after menopause offers many benefits, including:

• Preventing weight gain and loss of muscle mass, which are two frequent symptoms of menopause.
• Reducing the risk of cancer, including breast, colon and endometrial cancer.
• Strengthening your bones, which lowers the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
• Reducing the risk of other diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
• Boosting your mood, lowering the risk of depression and cognitive decline.
• Relieving stress and enhancing your overall quality of life.

Types of exercise recommended for menopause:

• Walking, jogging, cycling or swimming
• Stretching
• Rhythmical exercises, including dancing

When exercising, remember to avoid putting a lot of strain on your knees and overworking yourself. Take it easy. Don’t push yourself if you experience any pain in your joints or other parts of your body.

Customized Menopause Treatments

While fitness and lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, help some women, others find it’s not enough to manage their symptoms – and that’s okay. We understand that menopause affects women differently. Therefore, our treatments are customized for each woman depending on how her body deals with specific changes.

If you are going through menopause and exercising isn’t helping, don’t hesitate to contact us at Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A., today! We will help you find relief for your symptoms so you can resume your life.