The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Intermittent Phytoestrogen Consumption on Menopausal Symptoms in Middle-Aged Women

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc in Sports Nutrition, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Raja University, Qazvin, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Sports Nutrition Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, Raja University, Qazvin, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Chalus Islamic Azad University, Mazandaran, Iran

10.22038/mjms.2025.86204.4930

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause in women is accompanied by physical and sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, hot flashes, and night sweats. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of four weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and intermittent supplementation with phytoestrogen containing medicinal plants specifically flaxseed, fennel, and soy, on menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women.
Materials and Methods: The present study was quasi-experimental, and sampling was performed randomly and conveniently. Forty postmenopausal women residing in Tehran, with a mean age of 49.93 ± 2.98 years, were divided into four groups: control (n=10), exercise (n=10), supplement (n=10), and exercise+supplement (n=10). Assessments were performed using a standard menopause symptom questionnaire. Interventions included four weeks of intermittent consumption of phytoestrogenic herbs and performing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise four times a week for 45 minutes, eventually increasing to 60 minutes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 and analysis of covariance at a significance level of P<0.05.
Results: The results showed that the combination of aerobic exercise and consumption of phytoestrogenic herbs significantly reduced physical symptoms of menopause (P=0.001), psychological symptoms of anxiety (P=0.002) and depression (P=0.010) in middle-aged women, but no significant effect was observed on hot flashes and sweating (P=0.251) and sexual function (P=0.598).
Conclusion: performing a period of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise along with intermittent consumption of phytoestrogenic herbs can be effective in improving the physical and psychological symptoms of menopause, especially the psychological symptoms of anxiety and depression. This approach is recommended as a non-drug and complementary strategy for managing menopausal symptoms.

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Main Subjects

References

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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 69, Issue 3
May 2026
Pages 323-338

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