Does resistance training affect hot flushes in menopause? What 13 studies found

A meta-analysis of 12 trials found resistance training in postmenopausal women improved functional capacity, bone density, and reduced hot flash frequency and fat mass versus no exercise.

Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 452 participants pooled · 16 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 18 timesPubMed

A meta-analysis of 5 studies found resistance training programs were associated with reduced severity and frequency of hot flushes in postmenopausal women compared to controls.

Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2024PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed

A systematic review of 12 RCTs found strength exercises in menopausal women reported improvements in leg and pelvic floor strength, bone density, metabolic and hormonal markers, blood pressure, and hot flashes.

Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2023Midlife womenCited 24 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women with frequent hot flushes did 15 weeks of resistance training three times weekly, and reported a larger drop in hot flush frequency than controls.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 58 women · 15 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 34 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women with daily hot flushes did resistance training three times weekly for 15 weeks and reported improved menopause-specific quality of life, including vasomotor and sleep domains, versus controls.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 65 women · 15 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed

This trial protocol describes 15 weeks of supervised resistance training three times weekly in sedentary postmenopausal women with frequent hot flushes, with results not yet reported.

Direction not statedRandomised trial · 60 women · 15 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 14 timesPubMed

Perimenopausal women received education, diet guidance, or diet plus resistance exercise for 3 months; all groups reduced climacteric symptom scores, with the combined group showing broad symptom improvement.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 78 women · 12 weeks · 2022PerimenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women with hot flushes did 15 weeks of resistance training three times weekly; luteinising hormone decreased significantly more than in controls, alongside a previously reported drop in hot flushes.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 65 women · 15 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed

In a 10 year cohort of women aged 42 to 52, higher lean body mass was associated with lower odds of hot flushes and night sweats during the menopause transition.

Reported an improvementCohort study · 2,533 women · 2020Midlife womenCited 10 timesPubMed

In postmenopausal women, a 15-week resistance training program reduced hot flush frequency for up to 6 months, but the benefit was not maintained at 2-year follow-up.

No difference foundCohort study · 35 women · 104 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 11 timesPubMed

Fifteen low-active postmenopausal women did 15 weeks of resistance training and reported improved well-being and most experienced fewer vasomotor symptoms.

Reported an improvementOther · 15 women · 15 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 12 timesPubMed

A review of trials and studies found that most randomized trials of aerobic and resistance exercise training reported decreased subjectively experienced hot flashes in menopausal women.

Reported an improvementOther · 2023Midlife womenCited 18 timesPubMed

A narrative review on menopause reported mixed evidence for physical activity and exercise affecting hot flushes, with moderate activity and strength training possibly more favourable than vigorous exercise.

Mixed resultsOther · 2026Midlife womenCited 7 timesPubMed