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Age at natural menopause and mortality
1Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Annals of Epidemiology
|May 20, 1998
Summary
Early natural menopause (<40 years) may be linked to increased mortality risk. Menopause at 40-44 years showed higher cancer mortality. Surgical menopause did not show age-related mortality risks.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Age at menopause is a potential indicator of overall health and aging.
- Understanding menopause timing's impact on long-term health is crucial for women's health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the age of natural menopause and mortality risk.
- To analyze mortality differences based on age at natural menopause in a US population-based sample.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) Epidemiologic Follow-up Study.
- Included 3191 women (aged 50-86) with a mean follow-up of 4.0 years and 345 deaths.
- Employed age-stratified and Poisson regression, adjusting for covariates; separate analysis for surgical menopause.
Main Results:
- Compared to menopause at age 50+, women with natural menopause at age <40 had a 1.50 mortality rate ratio (RR).
- Menopause at 40-44 years was associated with increased cancer mortality (adjusted RR 2.34).
- No increased mortality risk was observed for women with surgical menopause involving bilateral oophorectomy.
Conclusions:
- Age at natural menopause may function as a biological marker for health and aging.
- Findings suggest implications for health beyond cardiovascular diseases.
- Early menopause warrants further investigation as a potential health indicator.