Exercise Can Be Used As An Alternative Hormone Replacement Therapy During Menopause

By Renee Altmann

Are you afraid of conventional hormone replacement treatments? When looking toward alternative hormone replacement therapy, exercise is used to strengthen the heart and bones, as well as to regulate weight while, at the same time, elevating mood and giving a sense of well-being.

Being inactive contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and weight gain. Additionally, women who are sedentary suffer from more back pain, joint stiffness, sleep disorders, and irregular periods.

Also, these inactive women have poor circulation, weak muscles, shortness of breath, and loss of bone mass. And mood disorders are more frequent for this group.

Women who regularly walk, jog, swim, bike, dance, or perform some other aerobic activity can more easily avoid these troubles. Lack of exercise affects bone health too.

Moderate exercise preserves bone mass in the spine which reduces the risk of fractures in older women. This will eliminate the diminishing in size and strength of bones.

Studies have shown that regular exercise has an increased effect on our mental alertness by supplying the brain with an increased amount of oxygen. One such study of inactive women and women who adhered to an exercise program showed better brain functions in the group who was active.

Other than increasing oxygen supplies to the brain, exercise helps to slow down the causes of shaking and stiffness that are normally part of aging. It has been noted that exercise plays a role in the prevention of slowed reaction times.

According to professionals, blood levels are raised which heightens mood and may assist the body in responding positively to stress. Th mood-heightening effect of exercise last for several hours or longer.

These 'feel-good' factors in the brain drop off when estrogen is low during menopause. This may also play a role in the body's ability to regulate temperature.

In other words, regular exercise increases brain activity that assists in maintaining body temperature, therefore hot flashes are decreased. In one study, among women who were active, the severe night sweats and hot flashes were cut in half.

You may prefer a game such as tennis, badminton, or squash, all of which offer the added attraction of meeting and socializing with people. Likewise, joining any exercise class can provide a social aspect that may encourage you to exercise regularly as an alternative hormone replacement therapy method. - 30307

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