Researchers of a new study found that yoga may help women with insomnia during menopause but does nothing to lessen hot flashes.
It is not uncommon for middle aged women to suffer from hot flashes and insomnia during menopause. Often, experts recommend yoga to deal with hot flashes. However, researchers of a new study found that while yoga can help women with insomnia during menopause, it doesn't help reduce hot flashes nor make them less bothersome.
"Many women suffer from insomnia during menopause, and it's good to know that yoga may help them," said lead author Katherine Newton, PhD, a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute.
"Hormone therapy is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for hot flashes and night sweats," Dr. Newton said, "and fewer women are opting for hormone therapy these days.
This is one of the reasons why, researchers undertook this new study titled Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health. Researchers looked at how yoga, fish oil and exercise can help women deal with hot flashes. The study was conducted on 249 healthy, previously sedentary women at multiple sites. Each of them was asked to do yoga, a moderate aerobic exercise program, or neither. They were also asked to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or a placebo.
Researchers noted that exercise and yoga helped in improved sleep quality and lesser insomnia and depression but fish oil didn't improve sleep nor did it help in dealing with hot flashes or enhancing the mood of participants.
