The average woman spends more than a third of her life in menopause. However, some women may have to deal with menopause-related symptoms for an extended period of time and face additional health problems due to premature menopause (before age 40) or early menopause (before age 45). A new study finds that infertility may be a risk factor for early menopause. The research results will be published online today. menopauseJournal of the Menopause Society.
Infertility is a common condition, affecting one in six people worldwide. Infertility not only affects family planning, but also long-term health. People with infertility have been shown to have higher rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The causes of infertility vary, but are often related to genetic, hormonal, intrauterine, or lifestyle factors.
Previous studies have investigated the association between infertility and premature menopause and early menopause, with mixed results. These previous studies did not take into account the effects of different types of infertility.
A new study of nearly 700 people, about half of whom had been diagnosed with primary infertility, found that women with a history of primary infertility reached natural menopause a year earlier than women without such a history, and more importantly, women with a history of unexplained infertility or endometriosis were at higher risk of early menopause. No association was found between infertility and early menopause.
Early onset and early menopause are of concern because they are associated with long-term health consequences such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and neurocognitive impairment. Risks of early onset and early menopause include smoking, low body mass index, nulliparity, and early menarche. In contrast, women with a history of oral contraceptive use and a history of oral contraceptive use are associated with later menopause.
Given the systemic and long-term health implications of early menopause, women diagnosed with primary infertility may benefit from additional counseling and should be encouraged to proceed with evaluation and treatment if they begin to lose new menstrual cycles, the researchers said.
The findings are published in the paper “Infertility and age at menopause in a longitudinal cohort of women with primary infertility.”
This study shows that women with primary infertility, especially those with a history of unexplained infertility or endometriosis, are at risk for early menopause. Given that early menopause is associated with negative long-term health outcomes, these women may benefit from counseling that they are at risk for early menopause. This allows you to monitor for early menopause and be treated with hormone therapy if necessary. ”
Dr. Stephanie Fabion, Medical Director, Menopause Medicine Society
