There's limited and mixed research showing that lifestyle and behaviour changes directly improve menopausal symptoms. However, some women find that making some lifestyle changes can help, even if indirectly. For example, weight gain can increase the severity of menopause symptoms, so maintaining a healthy weight can be helpful.
Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, which can decrease the severity of your symptoms. It can also increase your bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Many menopausal women find that exercise helps them feel better. Gentle exercise can also help you relax and reduce stress. Some examples include:
Talk to a doctor – or your Menopause Wellbeing clinician – before beginning a new exercise programme.
Some foods and behaviours can trigger your menopause symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats. These include:
You might find it useful to try avoiding or minimising these triggers and seeing if this improves your symptoms.
Talk to a doctor – or your Menopause Wellbeing clinician – about how to manage these behavioural changes.
Your Menopause Wellbeing clinician can talk to you about how to manage behavioural changes alongside other treatment options.
More information about lifestyle and behavioural changes and the clinical evidence around this can be found on the Australasian Menopause Society website.