Climacteric and quality of life

BACKGROUND: Menopause is for women a critical period of their life, in which organic troubles and psychological problems cherish themselves. With particular reference to hot flushes and impaired sleep (the frequently found troubles), the benefits of physical exercise in women of this age have been evaluated. METHODS: A study based on a questionnaire has been carried out on 79 women of age between 51 and 58 (who practised regular physical activity, selected at sporting centers), and 481 women of age between 52 and 58, selected between patients who came to the University Hospital for reasons not ascribed to menopause. All the women selected in the study underwent to natural menopause, and didn't use hormonal therapy. The questionnaire evaluated symptomatology and its level of severity. RESULTS: In the first group 57% of the women didn't report symptoms, 30% light symptoms, 12% medium, 1% severe. In the second group 52% didn't report symptoms, 15% light symptoms, 22% medium, 11% severe. CONCLUSIONS: Besides verifying a bigger well-being among women who practice physical activity, the interesting result is that 52% of the second group didn't refer symptomatology. The advantages of a balanced diet, with particular attention to food with phytoestrogens, is discussed and the psychosocial problems of woman in menopause, covering a fundamental role to explain a great part of the symptomatology, are underlined. Finally, the guide lines for a right preparation to menopause are presented.