Postmenopausal women had more depressive symptoms than perimenopausal, premenopausal women
WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Physical activity is linked to fewer depressive symptoms, higher satisfaction with life, and higher positive affectivity in menopausal women, according to a study published in the April issue of Menopause.
Dmitriy Bondarev, from University of Jyvaskyla in Finland, and colleagues examined the relationship between menopausal status and mental well-being using data from 304 premenopausal, 198 early perimenopausal, 209 late perimenopausal, and 387 postmenopausal women (aged 47 to 55 years).
The researchers found that depressive symptoms were lower among premenopausal versus postmenopausal women. There were no associations between menopausal status and life satisfaction or with positive or negative affectivity. Women with high physical activity scored higher on positive affectivity. Premenopausal, early perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women with high physical activity scored higher on life satisfaction and scored lower on depressive symptoms compared with low physical activity peers. Similarly, premenopausal and postmenopausal women with medium physical activity scored higher on life satisfaction versus women with low physical activity.
“Being physically active during the menopausal transition may help to withstand the negative influence of menopause on depressive symptomatology and spare positive mental well-being,” Bondarev said in a statement.
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