Early menopause is not associated with a higher risk of diabetes, according to study

January 14, 202611:43 pm

A recent study indicates that early menopause does not increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, debunking a widespread belief about the metabolic effects of early menopause on women’s health. Research indicates that women who enter menopause before the age of 45 have a similar risk of diabetes to those who go through this stage later in life. The findings were published in a scientific journal specializing in women’s health.

Although menopause is usually accompanied by hormonal and metabolic changes that can influence insulin resistance and increased body fat, researchers conclude that the age of onset of menopause is not a determining factor in the development of diabetes.

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For the study, scientists analyzed data from nearly 147 thousand women followed for an average of over 14 years. During that period, less than 5% of the participants were diagnosed with diabetes. After adjusting the results for different risk factors, no significant relationship was found between early menopause and a higher incidence of the disease.

Although a slight difference in the rate of diabetes was initially observed between women with early menopause and those with later menopause, this variation disappeared when considering other elements that do influence the risk of developing diabetes.

Among the factors that showed the greatest impact are smoking, obesity, an unhealthy diet, high salt consumption, and the use of certain cholesterol medications. These elements, related to lifestyle and cardiovascular health, were more relevant than the age at which menopause occurs. You may be interested in: Specialists emphasize that these results are reassuring, as the main identified risk factors are modifiable, unlike the age at which menopause occurs. Therefore, they underline the importance of promoting healthy habits such as balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and the prevention of overweight to reduce the risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women.