Medically speaking, menopause means that you have not had menstruation for a period of 12 months in a row. The transition from regular or irregular periods to those that have no menstruation at all can take much more than a year. For some women, it is 8 years or more. So what factors influence this transition? Can you do anything to change the time you start menopause?
If you are approaching the age when you expect to not have menstruation, you probably can not do much to change the time. But throughout life, several factors can contribute to a late onset of natural menopause. Although more research needs to be done on habits and traits that prolong reproductive life, here is what is known so far:
History of pregnancy and breastfeeding – If you have been breastfeeding for seven to twelve months, you have reduced your chances of starting menopause before the age of 45.
Oral contraceptives – The use of birth control pills during the reproductive years is associated with the later onset of menopause. More research needs to be done to understand why birth control pills delay menopause.
Education – In a research review that analyzed 46 studies involving 24 nations, researchers found a clear link between educational level and a later age of natural menopause. The reasons for this connection are not entirely clear.
High calorie, fruit and protein diets – The inclusion of many fruits and proteins in the diet is associated with the later onset of natural menopause; so is consuming more calories in general.
What does delayed menopause mean for overall health?
On the positive side, a subsequent menopause is associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis and fractures. When people reach menopause at a later age, they also have a lower risk of death as a result of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. But delayed menopause poses a higher risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.
The age at which natural menopause begins is largely determined by genes and family history. However, there are other contributors, mainly to your diet, socioeconomic status and smoking habits – which have some impact on when menstruation stops.
