The Role of Exercise in Easing Depression for PeriMenopausal Women
background
PeriMenopause is the stage of life where a woman's estrogen levels start to decline as they age. This stage can start as early as 35 but is more common for women that are between the ages of 40-45.
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During this transition women can start to feel many different symptoms, some include: irregular menstrual cycles, vaginal dryness, joint/muscle pain, night sweats, trouble sleeping, painful intercourse, and mood changes that include depression. These symptoms can last as long as 10 years.
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Women experience higher levels of depression when they are going through the transition into perimenopause. As the duration of this stage increases, the chances of experiencing depression also rise for women (Avis et al., 1994)
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how does physical activity improve depression in perimenopausal women?
Physical activity and exercise is really important for women experiencing menopause because it can make the transition easier.
When women regularly do physical activities like resistance training, cardiovascular workouts, stretching, and relaxation exercises, it helps them handle the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause better.
Exercise doesn't just benefit them physically, but it also has positive effects on their mental and social well-being (Skrzypulec et al., 2010).