Effect of Yoga on Menopausal Symptoms in the Early Menopausal Period: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Menopause literally means cessation of menses. Menopause occurs in women in midlife and it signals the end of the fertile phase of a woman's life. This transition from a potentially reproductive to a nonreproductive state is the result of a reduction in female hormonal production by the ovaries.This reduction is manifested in various postmenopausal symptoms which affects the quality of life of the female. Previous studies have shown the benefits of yoga therapy in treating the climacteric symptoms of menopause. However not many studies have evaluated the effects of yoga in the form of Pranayama and Surya namaskar on somatovegetative, psychological and urogenital symptoms associated with the early post menopausal phase and on the quality of life. Hence the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of yoga in the form of Pranayama and Surya Namaskar on the menopausal symptoms and quality of life of menopausal women in the early menopausal period.

Objective: To study the effect of yoga on menopausal symptoms in females in the post menopausal phase.

Main outcome measures: Total Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) score with three subscale scores (somatovegetative, psychological and urogenital) of MRS and Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire(MENQOL) score were measured on day 1 and day 30 in the study group which performed yoga (pranayama, surya namaskar and savasana) under supervision for 4 weeks on every alternate day. The scores were compared with the control group that did not perform yoga.

Results: It was observed that on day 1 the scores in both the groups were comparable. On day 30, the yoga group showed a statistically significant reduction in the total MRS score, scores on all the 3 subscales of MRS as well as MENQOL score. No significant difference was noted in the control group.

Conclusion: Yoga is effective in reducing menopausal symptoms and should be considered as alternative therapy for the management of menopausal symptoms.