Daijiworld Media Network – Sydney
Sydney, Jun 11: Women in low and middle-income countries, particularly those of South Asian origin, face a significantly higher risk of premature menopause, increasing their chances of developing serious cardiovascular diseases, according to a major international study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women's Health journal.
The analysis, based on data from 26 countries, found that women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are 53 per cent more likely to experience premature menopause than women in high-income nations. Half of the women in LMICs reached menopause by the age of 47.5 years, compared to 50.6 years in high-income countries.
Researchers also found that South Asian women face a 34 per cent higher risk of premature menopause compared to European women. Half of South Asian women reached menopause by age 47.4 years, while the corresponding age for European women was 50.7 years.
The study was conducted by an international team of researchers, including experts from The University of Sydney and institutions across Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Menopause is considered premature when it occurs before the age of 40 and early when it occurs between the ages of 40 and 44.
According to the findings, women who experience menopause at a younger age are at a higher risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Early menopause was associated with a 14 per cent increased risk of such events, while premature menopause was linked to a 27 per cent higher risk.
The researchers found that the association between premature menopause and cardiovascular disease remained consistent across different regions and ethnic groups.
The study suggests that premature and early menopause could serve as important indicators of elevated cardiovascular risk among women worldwide.
“The findings highlight the importance of the management of cardiovascular risk for women with premature and early menopause globally,” the authors said.
The study analysed data from 1,11,619 women participating in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiologic (PURE) study. Researchers estimated that 9.5 per cent of participants had experienced premature menopause, while 15.3 per cent had undergone early menopause.
The authors said the study is the largest of its kind to consistently assess menopause status across 26 countries using standardised questions about menstrual history.
Interestingly, higher rates of cardiovascular events were observed in low and middle-income countries despite a lower prevalence of traditional risk factors such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes.
Researchers noted that additional factors, including air pollution, poor diet, lower education levels and reduced physical strength, may contribute to the increased cardiovascular burden. Early and premature menopause was identified as another important women-specific risk factor.
“This study confirms the association of premature menopause and major cardiovascular events among women in one large, internally consistent global study and has found no heterogeneity in this association across country-income groups and major ethnic groups,” the authors said.
The findings underscore the need for greater awareness, early screening and targeted cardiovascular care for women who experience menopause at a younger age, particularly in South Asia and other low and middle-income regions.