This month for one of our Menochat Mondays, we asked you all about exercise; specifically, do you exercise, does it help your symptoms and what do you do? We’re always looking for recommendations to get moving (even if we’re not always so great at implementing them); after all, regular exercise can reduce the risk of major illness, strokes, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower the risk of an early death by up to 30%. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week, which sounds daunting but if it helps with the menopause, we’re down.

Here’s a quick round up of some of the exercises you recommended:

Yoga

Started Yoga in January, up to three times weekly which has eased my aches and improved my sleep, also sharpened my focus - evey.kurlanderqvc

Exercise definitely helps mind body & menopause .... But I hate gyms & love sofas... but think I'm on the stretching yoga camp on this one - lucyn66

HIIT Training (High Intensity Interval Training)

Just started hiit training and done 6 days in a row and my night flashes have all but gone. Attention is better and has helped loads with aches and pains - 69cupcake

Pilates

Walking, Pilates twice a week & now I have my energy back 30 mins in the gym - changesahead1therapies

Gym

2 sessions a week with a personal trainer - some cardio, weight bearing (for bones) and working on posture. Definitely helped with low mood and improved sleep but still getting the night flashes - mpl330

Walking

I don't "exercise " as such' I walk everywhere and always have( I don't drive) and I have a physical job(house and office cleaner). On days off if I am feeling a bit yucky I will force myself to get out and do a power walk, it blows the cobwebs away and releases endorphins so I feel good - magshindley

Running

I started running.... I'm slow but signing up to races keeps the focus and gives an amazing sense of achievement. 2 half marathons last year. Hope to do another this year and I have really stepped out of my comfort zone and doing a triathalon later this month... eeek! !! - calmrainbow_

Tai Chi/Qi Gong

Tai Chi and Qi Gong. They are both a lot tougher than they look. Qi Gong gets your energy flowing quickly and Tai Chi slows you down to work on your internal and external power. Great for self defence too...it's kind of Kung Fu (Wushu) slowed right down but just as effective and powerful. I do not get irritated as easily anymore, nor as anxious. - aunty_missy

Cycling

I cycle daily and lift a few times a week, but I still have 10 to 50 hot flashes a day. Recently my mood swings have been brutal as well. - redinthehead333

Zumba

I started Zumba 18 months ago. Our teacher was a lovely crazy Romanian guy....we incorporated all different styles of dance, I loved it. He's just announced he's leaving.....I'm gutted. Do something you love - clairegrayer

Weight lifting for bone health, Pilates for core and meditation and Zumba for utter sexiness! Being menopausal doesn’t stop me being feminine and fabulous x (I’m the instructor) - helentite

We couldn’t agree more. Three cheers for helentite please! The verdict is largely positive then, although it’s worth remembering that what works for some sadly doesn’t work for all. If you’re interested in trying any of the above or want to know a little more about them, keep an eye out; we’ll have spotlight profiles on each of them up on our blog soon. In the meantime, we’d love to hear more about any other exercises you’ve tried and whether they’ve had an impact on the menopause so leave a comment below or on our original instagram post! Let’s keep breaking the taboo together!