Exercise won’t relieve hot flashes, study finds
Regular exercise has been linked to dozens of health benefits from preventing heart attacks to getting a better night’s sleep.
But if you’re a woman experiencing hot flashes during menopause, don’t expect relief from working out, says new research.
Study leaders compared a group of sedentary women who were experiencing frequent hot flashes with another group of ladies also experiencing hot flashes but who participated in a 12-week aerobic exercise program.
The results showed the sedentary women had no fewer flashes than those who exercised regularly. The findings were published in Menopause, a journal of the North American Menopause Society.
The nearly 250 women in the study recorded their experiences daily noting how often they experienced hot flashes, night sweats and how well they slept each night.
Researchers said those who exercised did see some positive outcomes when it came to sleeping better, but no major improvement with hot flashes. According to breastcancer.org, hot flashes are caused by hormonal changes during menopause. A drop in estrogen levels can cause a rise in body temperature.
Exercise may not relieve hot flashes, but health experts say the benefits of aerobic activity can go a long way in helping people disease-free lives.
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity).
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