Physical Activity and Menopause

Physical Activity and Menopause

“Menopausal symptoms
can make it harder to do physical activity,
which may contribute to weight gain”.1

Umbrella

What may the Physical Activity and Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Active Living
  • Exercise
  • Fitness
  • Menopause
  • Perimenopause
  • Physical Activity
  • Postmenopause

Definition

What is physical activity?

DotS the definition of physical activity may vary. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition is:

“WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity refers to all movement including during leisure time, for transport to get to and from places, or as part of a person’s work or domestic activities. Both moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity improve health”.2

Health Benefits

Is there an association between health benefits and physical activity?

In Physical Activity the WHO elaborate on:

“Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and several cancers. It also helps to maintain a healthy body weight and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being”.3

Menopausal Symptoms

Is there an association between menopausal symptoms and physical activity?

In Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause: Benefits of Physical Activity At Menopause the (Australasian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

Physical Activity and Menopause“Menopausal symptoms can make it harder to do physical activity, which may contribute to weight gain.

Physical activity is an important part of being healthy, especially as you age. It can reduce the risk of:

  • Chronic disease
  • Falls
  • Osteoporosis.

Staying active can also help you manage your weight and menopausal symptoms”.4

Mood

Is there an association between mood and physical activity?

In Depression: How Can I Take Care of Myself? the (United States) National Institute of Mental Health include:

  • “Try to get physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost your mood”.5

Physical Activity

How much physical activity do adults require?

In Top 10 Things To Know About the Second Edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: 4. the (United States) Department of Health and Human Services elaborate on:

  • “… To attain the most health benefits from physical activity, adults need at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like brisk walking or fast dancing, each week. Adults also need muscle-strengthening activity, like lifting weights or doing push-ups, at least 2 days each week”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I am going to start doing physical activity?

If you are going to start doing physical activity, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Physical Activity: Information – Getting Started the (United States) MedlinePlus note:

“Important Note: Talk with your health care provider before starting an exercise program if:

  • You have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or another long-term illness
  • You have obesity
  • You have not been very active lately
  • You get chest pains or shortness of breath when you are active”.7

In Fitness: In-Depth – Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity – The Bottom Line on Exercise the Mayo Clinic caution:

“Remember to check with a health care professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any concerns about your fitness or haven’t exercised for a long time. Also check with a health care professional if you have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis”.8

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Physical Activity and Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Physical Activity and Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 5 Surprising Benefits of Walking
  2. 5 Yoga Poses You Can Do Right Now To Strengthen Your Core
  3. 5 of the Best Exercises You Can Ever Do
  4. 6 Desk Exercises That Help You Get Stronger While Working
  5. 6 Exercises You Can Do In Your Office
  6. 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
  7. 7 Reasons To Start Walking In Place
  8. A Guide To Working Out and Aging
  9. Belly Fat In Women: Taking — and Keeping — It Off
  10. Daily Food and Activity Diary
  11. Exercise
  12. Exercise Calorie Calculator
  13. Exercise During Menopause: Benefits, Best Workouts and How Often To Move
  14. Exercise During Perimenopause and Menopause | Dr Louise Newson
  15. Exercise In Menopause
  16. Exercise To Prevent Heart Disease
  17. Exercise and Physical Fitness
  18. Exercise and Staying Active
  19. Exercise for Depression
  20. FAQs: Staying Active: Physical Activity and Exercise
  21. First-of-Its-Kind Study Shows Resistance Training Can Improve Physical Function During Menopause
  22. Fitness
  23. Fitness Basics
  24. Fitness Studio Exercise Videos
  25. Fitness and Exercise [Topics]
  26. Fitness: Basics – Fitness: Basics
  27. Four Types of Exercise Can Improve Your Health and Physical Ability
  28. Get Active
  29. Get Happy: Why Exercise Can Lift Your Mood
  30. Get Moving: Key Takeaways From the New Physical Activity Guidelines
  31. Get Walking With This 12-Week Walking Schedule
  32. Getting Active
  33. Getting Active
  34. Guide To Physical Activity
  35. Healthy Weight and Growth: Physical Activity and Your Weight and Health
  36. Help! I’m Too Tired To Exercise
  37. How Can I Prevent Runners Diarrhea?
  38. How SMART Fitness Goals Can Help You Get Healthier
  39. How To Find ‘Joyful Movement’ In Every Day
  40. How To Find the Best Walking Shoes
  41. How To Start Working Out
  42. IMS Interview Series for Women: Lifestyle Medicine With Prof. Rossella Nappi | For Women
  43. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  44. Learn To Love Exercise
  45. Let’s Get Physical
  46. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  47. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  48. Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause: Benefits of Physical Activity At Menopause [Multiply Languages]
  49. May’s Osteoporosis Awareness Month
  50. Mayo Clinic Minute: How To Jump-Start Your Workout [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  51. Mayo Clinic Minute: Prescribing Nature for Mental, Physical Health [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  52. Mayo Clinic Minute: Stacking Your Exercise Over the Weekend [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  53. Menopause and Mental Health
    Physical Activity and Menopause
  54. Moveyourway [Move Your Way: Walk. Run. Dance. Play. What’s Your Move?] Physical Activity and Menopause
  55. Moving Matters
  56. Moving Matters: Moving Matters for My Health
  57. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Lifestyle Medicine
  58. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Lifestyle, Diet, Exercise
  59. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  60. Overcoming Midlife Barriers To Exercise and Better Health
  61. Physical Activity
  62. Physical Activity
  63. Physical Activity
  64. Physical Activity
  65. Physical Activity
  66. Physical Activity
  67. Physical Activity Basics: Adding Physical Activity As An Adult
  68. Physical Activity Basics: Benefits of Physical Activity
  69. Physical Activity Basics: Physical Activity Basics and Your Health
  70. Physical Activity Basics: Physical Activity and Cancer
  71. Physical Activity Basics: Physical Activity for Adults: An Overview
  72. Physical Activity and Cancer
  73. Physical Activity and Your Mental Health
  74. Physical Activity: Measuring Physical Activity Intensity
  75. Physical Activity: Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health
  76. Physical Exercise
  77. Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Steps for Happy, Healthy Feet
  78. Ready To Run: How To Strengthen Your Core
  79. Reduce Menopause Symptoms With This 20-Minute Workout
  80. Resources: Fact Sheets [Multiply Languages]
  81. Self-Care Month [24 June-24 July 2026]
    Physical Activity and Menopause
  82. Should You Try the 7-Minute Workout? [+ Video]
  83. Sleep, Food, Exercise, Stress: Why Working on One of These Can Improve the Others
  84. Staying Active As You Age
  85. The Advantages of Body-Weight Exercise
  86. The Benefits of Adding A ‘Deload Week’ To Your Workout Plan
  87. The Exercise Prescription I Give Every Woman In Menopause
  88. Upping Your Step Count, Even In Small Amounts, May Increase Life Span
  89. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Preventing Bone Loss At Menopause
  90. Walking vs. Running: Which Is Better for You?
  91. What Are Primal Movement Workouts?
  92. What Are the Different Types of Exercises?
  93. What Is Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause?
  94. What Is Slow Running and Does It Work?
  95. What Is the Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause?
  96. What To Know About Body Recomposition
  97. Why We Need Menopause-Inclusive Steps To Support Women’s Health and Wellbeing
  98. Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Start Running After Middle Age
  99. Why You Shouldn’t Skip Cool Down Exercises
  100. World Menopause Day 2025
    Physical Activity and Menopause Physical Activity and Menopause

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause: Benefits of Physical Activity At Menopause. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/looking-after-yourself-around-the-time-of-menopause/ Accessed: 19 March 2026
  2. Physical Activity: What Is Physical Activity? 26 June 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity Accessed: 19 March 2026
  3. Physical Activity. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/physical-activity#tab=tab_1 Accessed: 19 March 2026
  4. Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause: Benefits of Physical Activity At Menopause. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/looking-after-yourself-around-the-time-of-menopause/ Accessed: 19 March 2026
  5. Depression: How Can I Take Care of Myself? Revised: 2024. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression Accessed: 19 March 2026
  6. Top 10 Things To Know About the Second Edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 4. Department of Health and Human Services Accessed: 19 March 2026
  7. Physical Activity: Information – Getting Started. Review Date: 01 May 2025. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001941.htm Accessed: 19 March 2026
  8. Fitness: In-Depth – Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity – The Bottom Line on Exercise. 26 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389 Accessed: 19 March 2026
Topic Last Updated: 27 October 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 19 March 2026

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by
Copyright © 2011 – 2026 Meno Martha®. All Rights Reserved. | The information provided on  Meno Martha, Meno Martha International Menopause Directory and/or menomartha.com is for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for or replace the medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of your qualified health care providers. | By using this service you accept Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Terms of Use which incorporate Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy. | Meno Martha® is a registered Trademark | Meno Martha International Menopause Directory® is a registered Trademark.
Meno Martha and/or Meno Martha International Menopause Directory do not sell, produce or endorse any products, services or content of any kind including pills or potions for ‘menopause symptom relief’. Please Contact Us if you see or receive any advertisements allegedly by, for or on behalf of Meno Martha and/or Meno Martha International Menopause Directory.