Once at the mercy of hourly hot flashes, Margaret Corino has been keeping them at bay with regular trips to the gym.

When the 58-year-old woman skips exercise, the waves of heat "shoot back up again," she says. Corino, who lives in Johnson City, west of Albany, says her workouts have reduced hot flashes to just a couple a day.

Although the research is still thin, many health experts say even moderate exercise can help relieve the problems of menopause, including anxiety, insomnia and night sweats, in some women.

Menopause, which typically occurs between ages 45 and 55, is when a woman stops menstruating. Symptoms can include mood swings, hot flashes, headaches and trouble focusing.

The National Institutes of Health is conducting a wide-ranging study of several issues related to menopause, including depression and cognitive and sexual function. NIH-backed research so far suggests only a link between physical activity and decreased symptoms of menopause — no proof exercise is a cure.

For example, women who exercise may report fewer hot flashes simply because they are less preoccupied with such symptoms, said Sheryl Sherman, a doctor with the National Institute on Aging, an arm of the NIH.

While experiences vary, some say even a little boost in physical activity goes a long way.

Read the rest of the story at: http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/14787875.htm

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