Ab. No. 68 Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Menopause Symptoms in Perimenopausal Housewives

Abstract

Introduction: To find effect of four weeks of aerobic exercise on Menopausal Symptoms using Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) in perimenopausal housewives. Women during perimenopause suffer from hot flashes, fatigue, and mood swings due to hormonal changes. These symptoms can disrupt daily life, work, and well-being. Housewives may have limited access to health information leading to a lack of awareness of symptoms, resulting in increased suffering and a lack of understanding of how to manage. Aerobic exercise, like walking, has been shown to reduce these symptoms and improve overall well-being in perimenopausal women. Method: 36 housewives aged between 40-55years with perimenopausal symptoms were randomized into an intervention group A or a control group B. Women with known conditions which affected walking, taking drugs to relieve perimenopausal symptoms, women with surgical menopause, and receiving any hormone therapy were excluded. An experimental study was conducted in community of Ahmedabad. Women in the intervention group were asked to perform walking at 11-13 RPE for 150 minutes/week with warm up and cool down, five times a week. Those in control group continued their usual routine. Outcome used was menopausal rating scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSSv.20. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for within group analysis and Mann-Whitney U test for between group analyses. Level of Significance was 5%. Results: Study is ongoing. Within group analysis for group A(z=-3.187,p=0.001) and for group B(z=-1.890, p=0.059). Between group analysis U=13, p=0.0001. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise like walking reduces menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal housewives. Implication: Aerobic exercise has benefits on physical and mental health, including reduced hot flashes, improved sleep, and decreased depression, significantly contributing to improving quality of life and well-being during the perimenopausal phase in women undergoing the menopause transition. Housewives who may have reduced social peers to discuss these symptoms can benefit from structured walking programs.