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Hot Flashes and Exercise: Does Physical Activity Help or Hurt Health?
Hot flashes are one of the most common and uncomfortable side effects of menopause, but physical activity may be the answer for relief. Find out if exercise can help or hurt for those suffering from hot flashes and menopause.
What Causes Hot Flashes?
Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause and are an abrupt feeling of radiating heat. Hot flashes are caused by a drop in estrogen and can lead to feeling of embarrassment and discomfort.
How Can Exercise Help Hot Flashes?
When it comes to hot flashes, engaging in physical activity can be beneficial in many ways. Regular exercise helps reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of hot flashes by improving heart rate and breathing and by stimulating the release of endorphins – the natural happy hormones. Exercise also helps with mood stabilization, stress reduction and improved sleep, all of which can help reduce hot flashes.
Does Exercise Hurt Hot Flashes?
Exercise can be beneficial for menopausal women dealing with hot flashes, but it’s important to find the right type of exercise. Exercise can have the opposite effect when it is too intense, as it can cause an increase in body temperature, leading to more frequent and more severe hot flashes. High intensity exercises, such as running and biking, should be avoided, and low impact exercises that are more relaxing, such as yoga and Pilates, should be done instead.
Conclusion
Exercise can be beneficial for menopausal women dealing with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, but it’s important to find the right type of exercise and to make sure to stay hydrated. Exercise can help reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of hot flashes, improve mood, reduce stress, and help improve sleep. However, intense exercise should be avoided to prevent an increase in body temperature, which can make hot flashes worse.
