Authors:
Van Noord PAH. Dubas JS. Dorland M. Boersma H. Te Velde E.
Institution:
Dr. P. A.H. Van Noord, Julius Centre for POR, P.O. Box 80046/80085, 3508 TA Utrecht; Netherlands.
Title:
Age at natural menopause in a population-based screening cohort: The role of menarche, fecundity, and lifestyle factors (1997-1805).
Source:
Fertility and Sterility. Vol 68(1) (pp5-102), 1997.
Abstract:
Objectives:
To verify whether a population-based hypothesis (age at menarche and age at natural menopause have an inverse relationship) also applies at the level of the individual and to investigate what other factors predict age at natural menopause.
Design:
Prospective cohort study (the Doorlopend Onderzoek Morbiditeit/Mortaliteit [DOM] project).
Setting:
Preventicon Breast Cancer Screening Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Patients:
A cohort of 3,756 Dutch women, born between 1911 and 1925, participating in a population-based breast cancer screening program, who experienced a natural menopause. Three samples of women were studied: a sample who did not use oral contraceptives (OCs) (n = 3,347), a sample of OC users (n = 409), and a combined sample of OC users and nonusers (n = 3,756).
Main Outcome Measure(s):
Age at menopause and menarche, fertility patterns, OC use, height, weight, smoking, and demographic variables.
Results:
No relation was found between age at menarche and age at natural menopause. The total percentage of variance in age at natural menopause explained by multiple regression including all factors was minimal, ranging from 1.3% to 9.7% in OC users. Linear regression analysis indicated a slight secular trend in age at menopause.
Conclusion(s):
Frisch's hypothesis could not be corroborated at the individual level. These results suggest that age at menarche and menopause should be treated as independent risk factors for breast cancel. Modification of age at menopause by lifestyle factors (except possibly for OC use) appears minimal.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What will happen to me at my menopause?
- 2 Why does nature put women through the menopause?
- 3 Is life-expectancy changing?
- 4 What happens to my reproductive hormones at the menopause?
- 5 What non-hormonal changes occur at the menopause?
- 6 What problems might I have as a result of my menopause?
- 7 When am I likely to reach my menopause?
- 8 What is a premature menopause?
- 9 What are hot flushes and will HRT reduce them?
- 10 What causes hot flushes and night sweats?
- 11 Can my bladder problems be related to the menopause?
- 12 Can the menopause be associated with psychological problems.
- 13 How long can my menopausal (climacteric) symptoms last?
- 14 Is there a test that will accurately determine when my menopause has occurred?
- 15 Is it normal to experience heavy periods before the menopause?
- 16 How are heavy periods around the time of the menopause treated?
- 17 Is there a need to investigate vaginal bleeding after the menopause (postmenopausal bleeding)?
- 18 What could be the cause of vaginal bleeding after the menopause?
- 19 What is atrophic vaginitis?
- 20 What local genital symptoms can be associated with the menopause?
- 21 I have gone through the menopause and now have some bleeding (postmenopausal bleeding PMB). What will my gynaecologist wish to do?
- 22 Could I have any other long-term medical problems resulting from my menopause?
- 23 What is coronary heart disease?
- 24 What is osteoporosis?
- 25 Where else can I obtain further information?
- 26 Could I have some recommended menopause support groups.
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