Evidence-based Lifestyle Modifications for Improving Vasomotor Symptoms in Menopausal Women
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Lorna Abernathy
College:
The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major:
Nursing
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Ibtihal Al Makhzoomy
Abstract:
Title: Evidence-based Lifestyle Modifications for Improving Vasomotor Symptoms in Menopausal Women
Background: Menopause is a naturally occurring process that starts with the permanent cessation of the menstrual cycle due to loss of ovarian function. Many women experience vasomotor symptoms at this stage of life, ranging from minor discomforts to severe and debilitating symptoms such as hot flashes, and night sweats. Other menopausal symptoms include weight gain, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, painful intercourse, irritability, headaches, insomnia, depression, forgetfulness, and palpitations. Living through the period of menopausal symptoms impacts the quality of life, physical and emotional health, and social well-being. Evidence-based strategies are explored, including proven lifestyle modifications that help improve vasomotor symptoms.
Purpose/Aim: This systematic review examines the effect of diet and exercise on the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women.
PICOT: The PICOT question guiding this review is: In menopausal women, do diet and exercise reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms?
Methods: Electronic databases searched included Kean University Library Databases, CINAHL, EBSCO, Google Scholar, Medline, and ProQuest. Keyword searches included menopause, vasomotor symptoms, diet, nutrition, physical activity, and exercise. Combined searches were also performed to find studies addressing one or more keywords. Randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional systematic reviews, and qualitative and quantitative studies that examined the effects of physical activity or dietary intervention on the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms were selected for review. Articles were limited to the timeframe of 2019-2023. Five thousand five hundred and sixty-one articles were generated, of which 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Women in menopause, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women were included, and women who were on hormonal replacement therapy (HRTs) were excluded. Each article was evaluated for the effect of diet and physical activity on reducing vasomotor symptoms. The number of studies selected from each design includes six RTCs, two cross-sectionals, three systematic reviews, one quantitative, and one qualitative.
Results: The articles from this systematic review answered the PICOT question and showed that dietary interventions and physical activities can reduce menopausal symptoms and improve the quality of life in menopausal women. The results also support the use of nutrition and physical interventions as promising tools for managing vasomotor symptoms in women during the menopausal years.
Conclusions: Dietary and exercise interventions reduce the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women. Supporting evidence from the systematic reviews confirms that one of the best ways to control menopausal complications and improve the overall quality of life is to design interventions and implement educational programs that will reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms associated with menopause.
Keywords: Menopause, vasomotor symptoms, diet, exercise