Menopause. It's the rite of passage that no woman wants. Or is it? Changing hormone levels, hot flashes, moodiness -- the symptoms certainly aren't the stuff that dreams are made of. And since it marks the end of child-bearing years, it's often considered a time of loss.

But menopause is, thankfully, losing the stigma it once had. It can be considered the beginning of what is arguably the most free time of a woman's life. Besides, women can still be hot and sexy well into their post-menopausal years.

Hot, sexy and period-free ... gooood. But actually hot and kind of sweaty? Not so good. Never fear! Exercise can help manage some of those less-than-desirable symptoms of menopause.

• Mood swings. As hormone levels are shifting, moodiness and irritability can set in. In addition, some women can find the time depressing as it does represent a big life change. You can fight off these negative moods with exercise. A consistent physical activity routine will relieve stress and elevate your mood.
• Hot flashes. Your inner thermostat can really get out of whack during and after menopause. Some research shows that the boost in post-exercise estrogen can reduce the severity of hot flashes. You may also find it helpful to keep a diary about when you had a hot flash and where you were, how you were feeling and what you were doing/eating just prior. Certain foods, temperatures and stress levels may trigger hot flashes.
• Weight gain. While there's no clear medical connection between menopause and weight gain, many women do tend to gain some excess pounds during this time. Exercise can help ward off unwanted weight gain. It's also important to eat healthfully during this time -- for energy and for calorie control.
• Insomnia. Sleep disruptions can occur due to the hot flashes and hormonal changes related to menopause. You can help yourself get a good night's rest by exercising (but not within three hours of going to bed), keeping a consistent sleep schedule and practicing restful activities before turning in.
• Low sexual desire. Low estrogen levels may be the real culprit behind low sexual desire, and that's something to discuss with your doctor. But exercise can increase your libido, too.
• Memory and concentration problems. A loss of focus is pretty common during menopause. Exercise -- particularly yoga -- can help increase concentration. Also, consider learning a new skill or hobby that will challenge your mind and help you to relax (e.g. learn a new instrument, take a photography class or sign up for a healthy cooking class).