news
Later menopause,
longer life
Study finds link between
reproductive years and
overall longevity.
W
omen who start menstruating later and go through
menopause after the age of 50 have a better chance
of living to 90, new research has found.
A US study, published in the journal Menopause, has found an
association between reproductive years and ageing. Those with
more than 40 reproductive years enjoyed increased odds of living
into a 10th decade, scientists from the University of California, San
Diego School of Medicine said.
“Our study found that women who started menstruation at age
12 or older and experienced menopause – naturally or surgically
– at 50 or older, [after] having more than 40 reproductive years,
also had increased odds of living to 90 years old,” lead author
Aladdin Shadyab said.
The longitudinal study followed 16,000 women from racially
and ethnically diverse backgrounds for 21 years.
More than half – 55 per cent – survived to age 90.
It was found women who started menstruation at a later age
were also less likely to have certain health issues, like coronary
heart disease.
They were also less likely to be smokers or have a history of
diabetes, the scientists noted.
“Factors such as smoking can damage the cardiovascular system
and ovaries, which can result in earlier menopause,” Shadyab said.
“Women with later menopause and a longer reproductive lifespan
may have decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases.”
He said more studies were necessary to examine how lifestyle,
genetics and environmental factors migh