Exercise plays a crucial role in women's health: At all ages, from childhood, to reproductive age and menopause; In all physiological stages, including pregnancy and postpartum; In disease situations, of which endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome are examples. Knowing the effects and response to physical exercise and adapting it to each circumstance and each woman allows you to take advantage of its benefits, promoting well-being, health and quality of life. Menstrual cycle: responses to exercise The hormonal variations throughout the menstrual cycle it is reflected in physical, metabolic and emotional responses and may have implications for physical performance. In addition, there is individual variability in the experience that each woman has during the menstrual cycle. It is important to help each woman to know her body and to understand her menstrual cycle and its individual effects, so that it is possible to define the physical exercise strategies that best adapt to her individual reality, making the experience rewarding and appropriate to her context. Physical exercise during pregnancy and postpartum Only 15% of pregnant women meet the World Health Organization's recommendation of practicing 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Due to lack of information or knowledge, many pregnant women interrupt exercise because they do not feel sure about what modifications they should introduce in their exercise plan, as well as about the effects of exercise on the fetus. However, the practice of physical exercise during pregnancy has the following main objectives for both the mother and the fetus: Promote health benefits; Reduce health risks. Pregnant and postpartum women benefit from having an individualized exercise program that considers the biomechanical and physiological changes that happen to her body during the development of the fetus throughout the 9 months of pregnancy. Exercise during pregnancy is associated with global benefits for women, such as: Preservation of muscle mass; Improved muscle strength and endurance; Improved cardiovascular function and physical fitness. Additionally, it is associated with a reduced risk of pregnancy-related complications, such as: Gestational hypertension; Pre-eclampsia; Gestational diabetes. Exercise also promotes: A decrease in low back pain, pelvic pain and common discomforts associated with body canches during this period. Reduction fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression that can arise in this phase of major changes, contributing to emotional well-being during pregnancy. Better weight management, reducing the prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain; Better recovery of the woman's weight after childbirth. There is also evidence linking physical exercise during pregnancy with: Lower rate of complications in childbirth; Lower risk of cesarean or instrumental delivery; Better prevention and better results in the treatment of urinary incontinence. For the fetus, exercise during pregnacy is associated with: Lower risk of intrauterine growth restriction; Lower risk of overweight babies (macrosomia). Exercise in endometriosis The regular exercise can help alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis in addition to improving women's health in general and it is particularly important in post-surgical recovery from endometriosis. Exercise is a primary behavior that contributes to hormonal balance, improving its function. It is essential for strengthening the muscles of the abdominal wall, pelvis and back, providing better support for the uterus and organs affected by endometriosis. In addition, mobility and stretching exercises are beneficial in reducing the stiffness and muscle tension associated with this disease. Physical exercise in polycystic ovary syndrome Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common disease with a lifelong impact due to its reproductive, metabolic and psychological consequences with lifelong impact. Exercise is an effective non-pharmacological strategy in polycystic ovary syndrome because it has effects of: Improved insulin sensitivity, glycemic regulation and weight control, which helps to regulate the altered hormone levels characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome and improve symptoms; Regulation of the menstrual cycle, often altered in this disease; Control of cardiovascular risk factors, common in this disease; Promotion of emotional well-being. Remember that Each woman is unique and exercise during pregnancy, postpartum, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome is an area in which knowledge from medicine, other health sciences and exercise sciences overlaps. Counseling in this area require an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, in order to achieve the benefits expected from exercise programs specially adapted to women's health, regardless of their physical condition, and adapted to their physiological phase and health status. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
