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Regular physical activity results in numerous health benefits. It has been shown to improve sleep, lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety, while also building muscle, strengthening bones and helping to control weight. A new study suggests it may also reduce an array of bothersome symptoms during perimenopause.

Results of the study were presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in San Diego Oct. 20–24, 2026.

Perimenopause, the transitional phase preceding menopause, is marked by hormone changes leading to physical and psychological symptoms that can impair quality of life. The relationship between physical activity and perimenopause symptom burden remains underexplored, particularly in global populations.

A new study included more than 1,800 respondents from across 87 countries over six continents who were using the Flo app. Respondents completed an online survey describing their physical activity from "not physically active" to "more than five days a week." Symptom severity was then assessed across somatic, psychological and urogenital domains.

The association between physical activity frequency and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scores was examined using multivariable linear regression models to match physical activity frequency with scores based on the MRS. Confounders were prespecified using a causal framework and included age, body mass index, smoking status, comorbidities, health care access and the country-level Socio-Demographic Index.

In unadjusted analysis, mean total MRS scores showed a statistically significant inverse association with increasing physical activity frequency across all three symptom domains—urogenital, somatic and psychological.

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