Abstract
Background: The impact of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity on menopausal symptoms is still unclear. The relationship between menopausal symptoms with physical activity and BMI may differ depending on the specific symptom and socio-demographic factors may have impact on the symptoms.
 Objectives: It was aimed to determine most common presenting symptoms as per MRS scale, and to assess physical activity status as per IPAQ scale. Also to assess the impact of physical activity and BMI on common menopausal symptoms in addition to socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents in particular.
 Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among menopausal women age between 45-60 years attended at Outpatient Department (OPD) of Obs & Gynae in three randomly selected tertiary care hospital of the country during November 2017 to April 2018. The data were generated as per Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and by calculation of Body Mass Index (BMI).
 Results: About 70.0% respondents were within 45-54 years of age group, 28.0% respondents were illiterate and 78.0% were housewife. Overweight was to be found almost 30.0% within 50-54 years age group. Respondent’s somato-vegetative menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, heart discomfort and sleeping problems were found mild to moderate among 53.0-67.0% respondents mostly. Psychological and urogenital menopausal symptoms were found mild to moderate among 52-62.0% and 45-53.0% respondents respectively. The irritability and heart discomfort were found significantly associated with age. Moreover, joint and muscular discomfort, hot flushes, sweating and heart discomfort were also found significantly associated with BMI (p<.05).
 Conclusion: Findings of the study will help planners and policy makers in developing one stop comprehensive services as appropriate in minimizing symptoms without medications and will also help minimizing burden of symptoms among menopausal women towards a comfortable end stage life line towards menopause specific quality of life (MENQOL).
 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(2): 109-114
Highlights
Menopause is a physiological phase that is characterized by the permanent cessation of menstrual periods in women due to loss of ovarian follicular function.[1]
Joint and muscular discomfort, hot flushes, sweating and heart discomfort were found significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) (p
Engaging in habitual physical activity at least 60 minutes/day showed favorable effects on the prevention of menopausal symptoms, and a high total physical activity level was associated with less climacteric symptoms.[10]
Summary
Menopause is a physiological phase that is characterized by the permanent cessation of menstrual periods in women due to loss of ovarian follicular function.[1]. Urogenital symptoms and depression were found to be statistically significant in relation with history of chronic disease.[17] proportion of sleep problems, physical and mental exhaustion, bladder problems (urinary incontinence), joint & muscular discomfort were more in inactive than minimally active but the relationship were not statistically significant (p>0.05). This result indicates that physical activities may have some role in reducing. The relationship between menopausal symptoms with physical activity and BMI may differ depending on the specific symptom and socio-demographic factors may have impact on the symptoms
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