Overall Role of Exercise - For Men and Women

Exercise probably has a positive impact on many symptoms related to hormone disturbances as well as overall health.⁴⁸ Specific research studies have found a connection between exercise and heart disease, stress, bone health, hot flashes and life span.^{14 36} New research has found that the as little as 30 minutes of moderate activity per day can have health benefits and that the 30 minutes can be spread out throughout the day. Keep in mind, however, that for cardiovascular health, exercise requirements are a bit different and you should always consult your health care provider about your specific exercise needs.

Exercise has a direct effect on areas related to heart disease such as weight control and blood pressure. Weight bearing exercises, such as walking, helps to prevent bone loss. Any type of exercise that keeps muscles strong and working such as simple weight training can help with flexibility and decrease falls, fractures and various injuries. Keeping muscle mass also helps with weight control as muscle burns more calories.

Adding to the belief that exercise helps improve how you feel is a study comparing hot flashes in women who were physically active versus those who were not. Only 5% of the women who were active reported hot flashes compared with 16% of those who were not active.³²