Menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well-being and stress in menopausal women
IntroductionMenopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is widely used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, but concerns regarding its risks have led many women to seek alternative treatments, such as physical activity, mindfulness, and yoga. While research suggests that these non-pharmaceutical interventions may...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Reproductive Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frph.2025.1582406/full |
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| author | Ming Jun Kuck Eef Hogervorst |
| author_facet | Ming Jun Kuck Eef Hogervorst |
| author_sort | Ming Jun Kuck |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionMenopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is widely used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, but concerns regarding its risks have led many women to seek alternative treatments, such as physical activity, mindfulness, and yoga. While research suggests that these non-pharmaceutical interventions may improve quality of life (QoL), their efficacy remains debated. This study investigates the independent and interactive effects of MHT and exercise on psychosocial QoL and perceived stress in menopausal women.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey recruited 272 women aged 40–60 experiencing menopausal symptoms. Participants reported MHT use and engagement in physical activity, mindfulness, or yoga. Psychosocial QoL was assessed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MenQoL) scale, and perceived stress was measured using PSS-10. Data were analysed using general linear models and partial correlation analyses.ResultsMHT use was significantly associated with poorer psychosocial QoL and worse memory complaints. However, physical activity and yoga were linked to lower perceived stress and better psychosocial QoL. In contrast, mindfulness, as a standalone therapy, was associated with higher perceived stress and depression. No significant interaction effects were observed between MHT and exercise.ConclusionWhile MHT remains a common treatment for menopausal symptoms, its association with poorer psychosocial QoL and memory issues suggests a need for personalised approaches. Engaging in physical activity and yoga appears to offer greater mental health benefits, whereas mindfulness alone is associated with worse mental health. Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying these relationships and the long-term effects of MHT and exercise, especially in early and surgical menopausal women. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb68c747239d4b19992c0ef07a10ee84 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-3153 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Reproductive Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb68c747239d4b19992c0ef07a10ee842025-08-20T02:58:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Reproductive Health2673-31532025-08-01710.3389/frph.2025.15824061582406Menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well-being and stress in menopausal womenMing Jun KuckEef HogervorstIntroductionMenopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is widely used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, but concerns regarding its risks have led many women to seek alternative treatments, such as physical activity, mindfulness, and yoga. While research suggests that these non-pharmaceutical interventions may improve quality of life (QoL), their efficacy remains debated. This study investigates the independent and interactive effects of MHT and exercise on psychosocial QoL and perceived stress in menopausal women.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey recruited 272 women aged 40–60 experiencing menopausal symptoms. Participants reported MHT use and engagement in physical activity, mindfulness, or yoga. Psychosocial QoL was assessed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MenQoL) scale, and perceived stress was measured using PSS-10. Data were analysed using general linear models and partial correlation analyses.ResultsMHT use was significantly associated with poorer psychosocial QoL and worse memory complaints. However, physical activity and yoga were linked to lower perceived stress and better psychosocial QoL. In contrast, mindfulness, as a standalone therapy, was associated with higher perceived stress and depression. No significant interaction effects were observed between MHT and exercise.ConclusionWhile MHT remains a common treatment for menopausal symptoms, its association with poorer psychosocial QoL and memory issues suggests a need for personalised approaches. Engaging in physical activity and yoga appears to offer greater mental health benefits, whereas mindfulness alone is associated with worse mental health. Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying these relationships and the long-term effects of MHT and exercise, especially in early and surgical menopausal women.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frph.2025.1582406/fullmenopausal hormone therapyphysical activityyogamindfulnesspsychosocial quality of lifeperceived stress |
| spellingShingle | Ming Jun Kuck Eef Hogervorst Menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well-being and stress in menopausal women Frontiers in Reproductive Health menopausal hormone therapy physical activity yoga mindfulness psychosocial quality of life perceived stress |
| title | Menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well-being and stress in menopausal women |
| title_full | Menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well-being and stress in menopausal women |
| title_fullStr | Menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well-being and stress in menopausal women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well-being and stress in menopausal women |
| title_short | Menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well-being and stress in menopausal women |
| title_sort | menopausal hormone therapy and exercise on psychosocial well being and stress in menopausal women |
| topic | menopausal hormone therapy physical activity yoga mindfulness psychosocial quality of life perceived stress |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frph.2025.1582406/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mingjunkuck menopausalhormonetherapyandexerciseonpsychosocialwellbeingandstressinmenopausalwomen AT eefhogervorst menopausalhormonetherapyandexerciseonpsychosocialwellbeingandstressinmenopausalwomen |