Menopausal women taking hormones more likely to have overall healthier lifestyles

by The North American Menopause Society

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

Gaby Clark

Scientific Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process

Andrew Zinin

Lead Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

proofread

The GIST Add as preferred source

Menopause is associated with a number of adverse health effects, some of which can be mitigated by an array of modifiable health behaviors (MHBs), including diet, exercise and sleep duration. A new study sought to determine whether menopause and hormone therapy status had any association with MHBs. Initial results suggest that a link exists. Results of the study are published today in Menopause.

During the menopause transition, there is a significant increase in the risk of chronic diseases, along with an increased incidence of such bothersome symptoms as hot flashes and urogenital problems. The use of hormone therapy often serves as a treatment option to manage these menopause symptoms. However, whether hormone therapy affects health outcomes and chronic disease risk directly or indirectly through altered health behaviors is unclear.

Research to date on this topic has produced mixed results, with some research suggesting that postmenopausal women focus more on a healthy lifestyle. A first-of-its-kind cross-sectional analysis involving more than 10,000 women sought to identify the extent to which menopause status and the use of hormones were linked with a healthy lifestyle as defined by diet, physical activity and sleep duration.

The research showed that postmenopausal women who never used hormone therapy reported a lower intake of fruit and vegetables. Never-users of hormone therapy were 19% less likely to meet strength-based activity guidelines. Sleep duration was also shorter in postmenopausal women who had never used hormone therapy. The likelihood of meeting sleep guidelines was 14% lower in never, 26% lower in current and 24% lower in past hormone therapy users compared with premenopausal and perimenopausal women.

According to the researchers, these findings may be related to elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels, as expected in postmenopausal women who do not use hormone therapy, and the lower estradiol levels associated with menopause, which have been associated with poorer sleep. In addition, menopause-related hot flashes and urogenital symptoms can contribute to sleep disturbances, but these symptoms may be alleviated by hormone therapy.

Survey results are published in the article "Menopause and hormone therapy in relation to dietary intake, physical activity, and sleep and meeting lifestyle guidelines."

"This large observational study underscores that women who use hormone therapy tend to adopt overall healthier lifestyles. Although this association may partly reflect better symptom control enabling healthier behaviors, healthy-user bias is likely a significant contributor.

"Women who choose to use hormone therapy are often more proactive in their health care and may systematically differ from nonusers in socioeconomic resources, access to care and health literacy. This largely explains why early observational studies of hormone therapy suggested cardiovascular benefits that were not confirmed in subsequent randomized, controlled trials," says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society.

Publication details

Menopause and hormone therapy in relation to dietary intake, physical activity, and sleep, and meeting lifestyle guidelines, Menopause (2026). DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000002805

Journal information: Menopause

Key medical concepts

MenopauseHormone Replacement TherapyEstradiol

Clinical categories

Obstetrics & gynecologyWomen's healthHealthy livingSleep & RecoveryFitness & Physical activityNutrition & Healthy eatingHealthy aging Provided by The North American Menopause Society Who's behind this story?

Gaby Clark

MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: Menopausal women taking hormones more likely to have overall healthier lifestyles (2026, June 18) retrieved 18 June 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-menopausal-women-hormones-healthier-lifestyles.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.