Regular physical activity linked to lower odds of bodily pain in midlife women

A cross-sectional study published in Menopause examined associations between physical activity and bodily pain, assessed through the SF-36 bodily pain domain, in 3,523 women aged 40–60. Participants reported physical activity, generalized pain, menopause status, menopause hormone therapy (MHT) use, psychotropic medication use, and comorbidities. Researchers used multivariable logistic regression to assess independent associations.

Regular physical activity was associated with lower odds of bodily pain after adjustment for BMI, menopause status, psychotropic medication use, and comorbidities (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.58–0.76). MHT use was also associated with lower odds (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.41–0.61). Higher odds were observed with obesity (OR 1.61), postmenopause status (OR 1.45), psychotropic medication use (OR 1.45), and comorbidities (OR 1.52).

These associations warrant prospective investigation but cannot establish whether activity reduces pain or whether women with less pain are more active. The findings also do not establish MHT as a pain treatment or demonstrate benefits of combining MHT with exercise. The source reports 1,806 active participants as 56.3%, a percentage that does not correspond to the total sample; the relevant denominator requires clarification.