Regular exercise is the most significant lifestyle parameter associated with the severity of climacteric symptoms: a...

To assess the association between demographic and lifestyle parameters and perceived severity of the climacteric syndrome in perimenopausal women.

A cross-sectional study of 151 healthy women aged 45-55 years who attended the University Medical Center affiliated menopause clinics. The analysis was based on self completion of the Greene climacteric score, consisting of psychological, somatic/physical, sexual and vasomotor subscores. The Greene total score and subscores were the main outcomes of the study.

Of all demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle parameters recorded, the correlates with reduced total Greene score were high-order maternity and regular physical exercise. Mothers of 3 or more children reported significantly lower total Greene score (18±12.8 vs. 22.1±8.1) (p=0.01) as well as lower psychological subscore (8.7±6.8 vs. 11.5±5.4) (p=0.01). Regular physical activity was also associated with significantly lower total Greene score (17.0±11.0 vs. 22.6±11.3) (p=0.01) and specifically lower psychological subscore (9.5±6.6 vs. 12.8±7.7) (p=0.03) and sexual subscore (1.1±0.99 vs. 1.61±1.05) (p=0.03). Linear regression models showed that regular exercise was the lifestyle parameter most significantly correlated with a lower total Greene score (p=0.006) independent of menopausal status. Of particular note, regular exercise was significantly correlated with lower psychological (p=0.006) and physical subscores (p=0.06). Moreover, the higher the frequency of exercise (both aerobic and non aerobic), the lower the severity of the climacteric symptoms reported, yet the vasomotor and sexual subscores remained unchanged.

Regular exercise of at least 3 times a week was the most significant lifestyle parameter to be associated with the severity of climacteric symptoms.