The analysis found a significant 6-week reduction in daily VMS frequency relative to placebo for escitalopram (MD= -1.4; 95% CI, -2.7 to -0.2), low-dose E2 (MD= -1.9; 95% CI, -2.9 to -0.9), and venlafaxine (MD= -1.3; 95% CI, -2.3 to -0.3). However, no difference in VMS frequency or bother was found with exercise (MD= -0.4; 95% CI, -1.1 to 0.3), yoga (MD= -0.6; 95% CI, -1.3 to 0.1), or omega-3 supplementation (MD= 0.2; 95% CI, -0.4 to 0.8).
RECOMMENDATIONS
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) doesn’t offer specific recommendations regarding exercise as a treatment for symptoms of menopause. The 2014 ACOG guidelines for managing symptoms report that data don’t support phytoestrogens, supplements, or lifestyle modifications (Level B, based on limited or inconsistent evidence). ACOG recommends basic palliative measures such as drinking cool drinks and decreasing layers of clothing (Level B).4
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ recommendations don’t mention exercise as a menopause therapy.5
The North American Menopause Society’s 2015 statement regarding the nonhormonal treatment of menopause symptoms doesn’t recommend exercise as an effective therapy because of insufficient or inconclusive data.6