What Are the Causes of Late Menopause?

Menopause is the cessation of menstrual cycles. This usually occurs naturally in women between the ages of 48 and 55. Some women do not experience menopause until much later in life.

Perimenopause

• Many women experience symptoms of menopause long before the actual end of menses. Hot flashes, emotional changes, irregular periods, and sleeplessness are symptoms that may last for years before menopause occurs.

Causes of Late Menopause

• Every woman is different. Genetics, multiple pregnancies, higher cognitive levels, and excess weight are all factors in late menopause.

Risks of Late Menopause

• Although there are advantages of late menopause, there are also risks. Uterine, ovarian and breast cancers are usually hormone-fed cancers, and the risk of those are higher before menopause.

Advantages of Late Menopause

• Natural estrogen protects women against heart disease and osteoporosis. After menopause, women are susceptible to these conditions.

Pregnancy and Late Menopause

• Women do have active reproductive systems up until the age of menopause, placing women with late menopause at risk for getting pregnant later in life.