Power walks, gym workouts, and yoga may not get rid of hot flashes and night sweats, but women who exercise regularly are better able to cope with symptoms of menopause and are more likely to prevent serious diseases.

As women go through menopause, changes in hormone levels may cause some weight gain and an increase in fat. At the same time, excess weight, especially in menopausal and postmenopausal women, is linked to an increased risk of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Those diseases and conditions can lead to serious, long-term health consequences. But they can also be prevented through regular exercise and a nutritious and balanced diet—both of which are vital for menopausal women to maintain a healthy quality of life.

Weight gain isn't necessarily an inevitable result of hormonal changes. In fact, it may be more about lifestyle changes. A recent study at Louisiana State University found that perimenopausal women gained weight because they exercised less and yet ate the same amount during and after their menopausal years.

And though menopausal women tend to accumulate more fat, another study, based on the National Institutes of Health's review of women's health across the nation, found that those who participated in activities like jogging, aerobic dancing, tennis, and swimming every day for 10 minutes or more had nearly 6 fewer inches around their waist than women who didn't exercise.

Women who maintain a healthy weight may also have fewer and less-severe hot flashes and night sweats than women who are overweight. Riding an exercise bike three days a week for an hour helped a group of postmenopausal women manage their menopause symptoms better than a group who just took hormone therapy, according to a recent Brazilian study. The women who exercised reported a better overall quality of life, including less bodily pain, more vitality, and a more positive sense of their overall physical and mental health.