Does general physical activity affect sexual function in menopause? What 8 studies found

In breast cancer patients with treatment induced menopause, physical exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy reduced endocrine and urinary symptoms and improved physical functioning over 6 months compared with a waiting list.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 422 women · 26 weeks · 2012Midlife womenCited 163 timesPubMed

Among 113 midlife women in a physical activity trial, increased activity was linked to fewer general menopause symptoms but not to vasomotor or sexual symptoms specifically.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 113 women · 2009Midlife womenCited 57 timesPubMed

Women 45 to 60 with breast cancer history who got a 12-week lifestyle program including physical activity reported greater reductions in menopausal symptoms and improved quality of life than controls.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 55 women · 12 weeks · 2015Midlife womenCited 34 timesPubMed

A planned trial will compare cognitive behavioral therapy, physical exercise, and their combination in younger breast cancer patients with treatment-induced menopause, assessing menopausal symptoms and quality of life.

Direction not statedRandomised trial · 325 women · 26 weeks · 2009OtherCited 21 timesPubMed

Women aged 40 to 65 followed a 12 week web-based lifestyle program including exercise goal-setting, and reported reduced anxiety, depression, hot flushes and sexual dysfunction.

Reported an improvementControlled trial · 225 women · 12 weeks · 2015Midlife womenCited 27 timesPubMed

In a 5-year study of women aged 45 to 55, exercise was the only psychosocial variable significantly associated with sexual satisfaction during the menopause transition.

Reported an improvementCohort study · 57 women · 260 weeks · 2005PerimenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed

Among 305 Turkish women aged 45 to 60, physically active women reported lower total menopausal symptom scores, including sleep, sexual, joint and psychological symptoms, than less active women.

Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 305 women · 2014Midlife womenCited 22 timesPubMed

In postmenopausal women, higher physical activity was associated with less sexual discomfort, with greater improvement in lubrication and pain among those also using hormone therapy.

Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 260 women · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed