In early menopause, increased risks for cardiovascular diseases

Women with early menopause usually die earlier
In one out of every ten women, natural menopause occurs at the age of 45 years. Researchers found that these women have an increased chance of developing heart problems. Those affected usually die younger than women with a later menopause.

The researchers from the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands found in an investigation that women with a premature menopause usually die younger compared to women with a later menopause. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "JAMA Cardiology".

If women enter premature menopause, increased health risks. For example, inflammation and vascular damage can easily occur in those affected. (Image: gustavofrazao / fotolia.com)

Women with early menopause should receive special medical assistance
The age at which a woman enters her menopause could be a predictor of the risk of future cardiovascular problems, explains the author. Taulant Muka from the Erasmus University Medical Center. This would mean that women with early onset of menopause should receive medical support to avoid unwanted cardiovascular problems.

Women with early menopause should be examined closely
When women enter menopause early, they should be screened for some medical conditions. These include, for example, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Only then can such disorders be treated as early as possible, explain the scientists.

Physicians examined the data of more than 300,000 subjects
For their new study, the researchers analyzed data from 32 older studies. More than 300,000 women took part in these. These studies compared women with a last period before the 45th year of age and women whose menopause did not occur until the age of 45, the experts explain.

Women with early menopause have a significantly increased risk of coronary heart disease
The results of the studies showed that women with early menopause have a 50 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease. This can lead to chest pain and even heart attack as plaque accumulates on the walls of the arteries.

Early menopause increases mortality
The researchers also found that early menopause is associated with an up to 13 percent increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. In general, more women die with an early menopause for reasons that have nothing to do with an increased risk of stroke. Thus, premature or early menopause leads to an increase in all-cause mortality in women, Muka explains.

Hormonal changes could lead to increased health risks
It is not clear why an early menopause leads to increased health risks. It is possible that the loss of ovarian function could trigger hormonal changes, which then lead to inflammation and vascular damage, the authors speculate. The time of menopause increases the likelihood of suffering from some heart disease. Other health conditions could be affected by the hormones. Menopause can also generally be considered as a sign of general aging, the experts add.

What causes premature menopause?
Generally, women usually enter menopause at the age of 51. But one in ten women reaches their natural menopause at the age of 45, explain the scientists. Premature menopause can also be caused by cancer treatments and surgical removal of the ovaries. Active and passive smoking triggers a premature menopause.

Women with an early menopause should seek hormone therapy
Professional societies agree that women with early menopause should think about hormone therapy. This allows them to better manage symptoms and protect themselves from vascular and bone diseases, explain the doctors. In addition, a special therapy may soon enable reversal of the menopause. Perhaps this type of treatment could soon help women no longer have to face the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. (As)