Researchers analysed 12 trials involving more than 1,000 women and found aerobic exercise had the biggest benefits for depressive symptoms and quality of life. Yoga, tai chi and Pilates were also linked to improvements in psychological wellbeing. 

Professor Aimee Spector, the study's senior author, said: 'Physical activity is an effective, accessible, non-pharmacological strategy to support psychological wellbeing and quality of life during midlife menopause.'

Most of the exercise programmes involved group sessions, which might've helped women feel less isolated. 

The biggest improvements were seen in women who'd been through menopause in the past year, and exercise was also associated with fewer symptoms of depression in women going through perimenopause - the stage leading up to menopause when hormone levels fluctuate and periods become irregular. 

Simone Saidel, an NHS clinical psychologist and lead author of the study, said treatment options remained limited for women experiencing menopausal symptoms, particularly those unable or unwilling to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

'There are also significant health inequalities in terms of HRT access, and ethnic variations in attitudes towards it,' she said.

'The study plays an important role in expanding the options available for symptom management, whereby clinicians may recommend it as an early intervention or an adjunct to medical or psychological treatments.'

The researchers said more work was needed to establish which types of exercise worked best and how they could be incorporated into menopause care. 

Published in Menopause Journal, the study can be read in full here.