People living with diabetes are at increased risk of several health conditions, including eye and foot problems, heart attacks and strokes, and kidney and nerve damage. A new study suggests that the earlier a woman becomes diabetic, the sooner she is likely to enter menopause. The results of the study will be presented during the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) in Atlanta, October 12-15, 2022.
Over the past few decades, the incidence of type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes has grown steadily. As a result, more women than ever are expected to spend a greater proportion of their reproductive lives living with a diagnosis of diabetes. A number of studies have previously assessed the risk of developing postmenopausal diabetes, but this new study, which followed more than 11,000 women, sought to understand the long-term implications of premenopausal diabetes on women’s reproductive health, including the her age at natural menopause.
Based on the analysis, the researchers found that earlier age of diagnosis for both type 1 diabetes (40 years) was associated with a later age at natural menopause compared to those without diabetes. No significant association was found between gestational diabetes and age at menopause
“Our large retrospective cohort study shows that, even after adjusting for covariates associated with age at natural menopause, we still find an association between early diagnosis of diabetes and early menopause and a diagnosis of diabetes later with a later age at menopause compared to those who did not have diabetes.We hope that our work will lay the groundwork for further research in this area so that we can better understand and prevent the long-term impacts of diabetes on the body human and the reproductive system,” says lead author Dr. Vrati Mehra. of the study, from the University of Toronto.
This research adds to the growing evidence regarding the collective toll diabetes takes on the human body. In this case, it shows that young women living with a diagnosis of diabetes are more susceptible to accelerated ovarian aging and early menopause.”
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS Medical Director
Source:
American Menopause Society (NAMS)