- Researchers from Spain recently conducted a study to determine whether the timing of menopause can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- The researchers did not find a link between menopause timing and diabetes.
- While some women who went through early menopause developed type 2 diabetes, the scientists found that this was connected to health and lifestyle factors instead of the timing of menopause itself.
Menopause refers to the end of a woman’s reproductive stage of life. While many of the changes women experience during menopause are related to the reproductive system, it can also affect the body in other ways.
For example, hormonal changes can lead to weight gain and can impact heart health. The timing of menopause may affect some of these issues as well.
Researchers previously thought that the timing of menopause could impact the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, a new study shows this may not be the case.
The findings are published in the journal Menopause.
Some women experience menopause earlier, though. Doctors classify experiencing menopause before age 40 as premature menopause and menopause experienced between ages 40 to 45 as early menopause.
There is no single cause of this; genetics, lifestyle factors, and other health issues may contribute.
Women may face health issues when going through menopause, including an increased risk of heart disease.
Scientists formerly thought that experiencing menopause earlier than typically expected contributed to an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the researchers in the new study did not consider the evidence strong enough to support this, prompting them to take a closer look.
Using health data from the U.K. Biobank, the scientists reviewed 146,764 postmenopausal women followed for an average of 14.5 years.
They categorized women into groups based on the age they experienced menopause: after age 45, between ages 40 and 45, or before age 40. They also looked at whether menopause occurred naturally or as a result of surgery, such as having a hysterectomy.
The researchers next looked at which women received a diabetes diagnosis. They then analyzed whether the age or type of menopause was linked to diabetes risk, while taking other lifestyle and health factors into consideration.
Over the study period, about 4.5% of women developed diabetes, with the vast majority being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
At first glance, diabetes appeared more common among women who experienced menopause earlier. However, once researchers adjusted for other health and lifestyle factors, this association did not hold up.
Women who experienced menopause before age 40 or between ages 40 and 45 had a similar diabetes risk compared to women who experienced menopause after age 45.
Additionally, surgical menopause did not independently increase diabetes risk.
Instead, they found that diabetes risk was tied to health and lifestyle factors. These included obesity, smoking, an unhealthy diet, high blood pressure, and a family history of diabetes.
Since many of these risk factors are modifiable, the results offer reassurance and guidance.
Overall, the study shows that maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol are the most effective ways to reduce diabetes risk during and after menopause.
Sherry Ross, MD, a board certified OB/GYN and Women’s Health Expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, spoke with Medical News Today about the study.
“This study concluded that there is no increased risk to this group of women developing diabetes, but emphasized a closer look at how healthy lifestyle habits can influence their risk of developing diabetes and other metabolic changes during post menopause,” said Ross.
Ross offered several suggestions that could help women lower their risk of diabetes, including counseling on nutrition, increasing physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, and developing good sleep habits.
“Discussing healthy lifestyle recommendations should be part of the annual well-woman screening process to empower women to take care of themselves hormonally, metabolically, and holistically,” Ross emphasized.
Swaroopini Thangarajah, MD, a Doctify-registered general practitioner at HerCare Women’s Health in Australia, also spoke with MNT about the findings.
“This is a reassuring and important study for women,” said Thangarajah, noting that lifestyle and cardiovascular factors play a much larger role than menopause itself.
Thangarajah said that the results have implications for clinical care and can be empowering to women.
“While cardiometabolic risk tends to rise after menopause, this study shows that when or how menopause occurs is less important than overall lifestyle and cardiovascular health,” Thangarajah explained.
“That means women are not powerless,” Thangarajah continued. “Many of the most important risk factors for diabetes and heart disease are within their control.”
Thangarajah also emphasized the importance of physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking. She also encouraged women to continue with “proactive screening,” which will catch many health issues while they are more manageable.