Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia. The dreaded symptoms that indicate a womans biological clock is ticking as she copes with menopause. While the intensity of symptoms will vary, a new study shows yoga can help a woman deal with them successfully.
The study conducted in India says yoga can ease the physical and psychological effects of menopause. Researchers divided women into two groups. One group practiced yoga for two months while the other did regular stretching. At the end of the study period, the yoga group reported significant reductions in the physical symptoms and felt like their memory and ability to concentrate had improved. The regular stretching group reported no significant improvements in the physical or mental symptoms.
Other research shows yoga can be particularly effective in reducing menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors. Studies from Duke University and Oregon Health & Science University offer real hope for survivors as they cope with the change of life. The women who participated in those studies experienced the same reduction in hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms as the women in India.
Yoga practitioners have always pointed to the stretching and meditation techniques as great ways to help people deal with daily stress and anxiety. For many Americans, however, yoga has remained a mystery. The latest research shows women who explore the ancient techniques may find the key to better health in their menopausal years.