The effectiveness of exercise as treatment for vasomotor menopausal symptoms: randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of exercise as treatment for vasomotor menopausal symptoms. DesignThree-group randomised controlled trial, two exercise interventions and a control group. SettingPrimary Care, West Midlands UK. PopulationPerimenopausal and postmenopausal women experiencing at least five hot flushes/night sweats per day and not taken MHT in previous 3months were recruited from 23 general practices. MethodsParticipants in both exercise interventions groups were offered two face-to-face consultations with a physical activity facilitator to support engagement in regular exercise. In addition, one exercise group received a menopause-specific information DVD and written materials to encourage regular exercise and the other exercise group was offered the opportunity to attend exercise social support groups in their communities. Interventions lasted 6months. Main outcome measureThe primary outcome was frequency of hot flushes/night sweats at 6-month up. ResultsTwo hundred and sixty-one women were randomised (n=87 per group). Neither of the exercise intervention groups reported significantly less frequent hot flushes/night sweats per week than controls (exercise-DVD versus control: -8.9, 95% CI -20.0 to 2.2; exercise-social support versus control: -5.2, 95% CI -16.7 to 6.3). ConclusionsThis trial indicates that exercise is not an effective treatment for hot flushes/night sweats. Contrary to current clinical guidance, women should not be advised that exercise will relieve their vasomotor menopausal symptoms.