**Meet the editors**

Juan Francisco Rodríguez-Landa received his doctorate degree in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience) from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He is currently a researcher at the Institute of Neuroethology, Universidad Veracruzana. He is a lecturer in Neuropsychopharmacology and belongs to the National System of Investigators (Level 2). His research interests include

the effects of neurosteroids on experimental anxiety, depression, surgical menopause, and neuronal activity in the brain. He has published more than 50 scientific papers, 15 book chapters, and 100 research communications in specialized forums in México, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. He is an expert journal peer reviewer and is a member of the International Society for Neuroethology, European Behavioral Pharmacology Society, and Mexican Society of Physiological Sciences, among others.

Jonathan Cueto-Escobedo received his doctorate degree in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience) from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He is a research assistant at the Institute of Neuroethology and a member of the National System of Investigators (level, candidate). His research interests include experimental models of anxiety and depression across development.

He has published 8 book chapters and 8 scientific papers and made more than 20 presentations at international conferences. He has also participated in a journal of divulgation of science and belongs to the team of scientific writers of a cultural magazine . He has lectured at several universities in México, including University of Xalapa, University of Veracruz, University of Guadalajara, University of Tlaxcala, and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

## Contents

### **Preface XI**


### Chapter 7 **The Benefits of Physical Activity on Climacteric Women 111** Simoni T. Bittar, José O.R. de Macêdo, Elisio A. Pereira Neto,

Hidayane G. da Silva, Patrick A.S. Pfeiffer, Janine A. Padilha, Wagner V. dos Santos and Maria do S. Cirilo‐Sousa

## Preface

Chapter 7 **The Benefits of Physical Activity on Climacteric Women 111** Simoni T. Bittar, José O.R. de Macêdo, Elisio A. Pereira Neto,

V. dos Santos and Maria do S. Cirilo‐Sousa

**VI** Contents

Hidayane G. da Silva, Patrick A.S. Pfeiffer, Janine A. Padilha, Wagner

Around the world, women in their fifties would experience menopause. To detail the impact of this phenomenon, it is important to highlight that about 60% of these women will experi‐ ence sleep disorders, sexual dysfunctions, anxiety, and depressive disorders, in addition to muscle or joint pain, among others, independently of ethnic origin or sociodemographic fac‐ tors. These symptoms impact directly in the quality of life, produce a loss of productivity, and incur increased healthcare utilization. The impact is such that menopause must be considered in labor environment since it can trigger issues as poor concentration, tiredness, poor memo‐ ry, depressed feelings, and lowered confidence. It is noteworthy that most women feel unwill‐ ing to disclose menopause-related health issues to line managers (most men or younger women). Research on this area suggests that greater awareness and support of managers about menopause, flexible working hours, control over workplace temperature and ventila‐ tion, and access to cold drinking water and toilets are effective in improving wellness and productivity in menopausal women. These approaches should not be taken lightly since in‐ clusively the World Health Organization has expressed concerns about the specific necessities of women experiencing menopause. Other approaches comprise the hormonal replacement therapy, healthy habits as exercise and yoga, and nutritional factors as consumption of soy and natural products rich in phytoestrogens. Hormonal replacement therapy has been one of the most widespread approaches to the treatment of menopause-related diseases; however, the interaction of estradiol with estrogen receptors on tumoral tissue is able to trigger prolifer‐ ative effects that highlight the latent risk of this therapy. Alternative therapies as phytoestro‐ gen-rich diets have shown encouraging results but still need more research since effects are still diverse and not fully understood. Given the complexity of symptoms, multidisciplinary approaches to treatment seem to be necessary. In this sense, multidisciplinary models to eval‐ uate and manage women experiencing menopause include gynecologists, endocrinologists, psychologist, and clinical nurse specialist and have shown benefits on coordination of patient care, education, communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Taken together, the characteristics of menopause compel us to approach the phenomenon with a multidisciplina‐ ry point of view that include evolutionary, neurobiological, psychosocial, and cultural factors in order to improve our understanding and management of this phenomenon; it is exactly the purpose of the present book *A Multidisciplinary Look at Menopause*. Thanks to all the contribu‐ ting authors, we hope you find these efforts satisfactory and wish you a good reading.

**Juan Francisco Rodríguez-Landa, PhD**

Jonathan Cueto-Escobedo, PhD Universidad Veracruzana México
