Importance of prenatal and early-life nutrition in early menopause and subsequent health

Abstract

Numerous studies have found age at menopause (AOM) to be associated with subsequent health, such that earlier menopause is linked to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease,osteoporosis and fracture,and mortality,but a lower risk of breast and reproductive cancers.The median AOM in industrialized countries is 50 to 51 years. Approximately 5% of women have early menopause, defined as occurring at ages 40 to 45, whereas menopause before age 40—known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) or premature ovarian failure (POF)—occurs in 1% of women. In the general population, AOM has been linked to early-life exposures, including nutrition and growth in early childhood as well as emotional stress