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

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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: 09 July 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 19 March 2026

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