Association between early menarche and hypertension in pre and postmenopausal women: Baependi Heart Study

Early menarche has been associated with an increased risk of arterial hypertension. Whether the association between early menarche and hypertension is independent of menopausal status is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between early menarche and hypertension in pre and postmenopausal women.

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1406 women aged 18-100. Age at menarche, menopause status, hemodynamic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected by using standard protocols. Menarche <12 years was defined as early menarche. Systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥90 mmHg and/or intake of antihypertensive medication, were used as criteria for hypertension.

In total, 21.3% of women had early menarche (<12 years), and the frequency of hypertension was 38.7%. Premenopausal women with early menarche had a 58% higher chance of developing hypertension, even after adjusting for age, obesity, and smoking [odds ratio (OR) 1.58; (95% confidence interval, CI 1.016-2.461)]. In postmenopausal women, age, obesity, and diabetes mellitus were predictors of hypertension, while early menarche was not.

The odds of hypertension were higher with early menarche, but only in women of reproductive age. In postmenopausal women, the physiological changes inherent to aging and the presence of more comorbidities, such as diabetes, might overlap the influence of early menarche on hypertension.