Early menopause not linked to increased risk of diabetes

Early menopause has long been associated with several health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and loss of bone density. However, a new study suggests that it does not increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

According to research published in the journal Menopause, women who enter menopause before the age of 45 have almost the same risk of diabetes as those who experience menopause later, in middle age, writes the source Health Day.

The researchers concluded that menopause, in and of itself, does not appear to cause metabolic changes that favor insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.

The study followed about 147 women participating in the British research project "UK Biobank" for more than 14 years.

During the follow-up period, about 6,600 women were diagnosed with diabetes, but the analysis showed that the age of onset of menopause was not significantly associated with this risk.

Although a small difference was initially observed between women with early menopause and those with late menopause, this disappeared after other influencing factors were taken into account.

According to researchers, the factors that most strongly influence the risk of diabetes are obesity, smoking, lack of vegetable consumption, high salt intake, and the use of certain cholesterol medications.

Experts emphasize that these are modifiable factors, unlike the age of menopause.

These findings are considered reassuring, as they suggest that women can reduce their risk of diabetes by focusing on lifestyle and cardiovascular health, regardless of when menopause occurs.