EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY COMBINED WITH HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY ON POSTMENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of combining physiotherapy with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on postmenopausal symptoms and quality of life in middle-aged women. Methods: This experimental study involved 25 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 65 Y, all of whom were experiencing moderate to severe menopausal symptoms and were assigned to receive a combination of HRT and physiotherapy. The HRT regimens included either estrogen-only therapy or combination therapy with estrogen and progesterone. Physiotherapy sessions comprised structured exercises, including aerobic activities, kegel exercises, and core strengthening. The study lasted six weeks, with assessments conducted at baseline, two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and paired t-tests to evaluate within-group differences. Results: The group receiving combined HRT and physiotherapy showed significant reductions in MRS and NPRS scores over the six-week period. The mean MRS score decreased from 32.04 at baseline to 13.52 by week six. Similarly, NPRS scores improved, with the mean score dropping from 6.76 at baseline to 2.12 by week six. These reductions were statistically significant (p<0.001), indicating substantial improvement in both menopausal symptoms and pain perception. Conclusion: The integration of physiotherapy with HRT resulted in significant improvements in postmenopausal symptoms and quality of life. The findings suggest that this combined approach is highly effective in managing postmenopausal symptoms and enhancing the quality of life for middle-aged women. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods is recommended to confirm these results.