MedWire News: French researchers have identified a range of reproductive, hormonal, and environmental factors that appear to affect the onset of menopausal symptoms.

The team, from the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Villejuif, suggests that recommendations on modifying factors may be possible.

Françoise Clavel-Chapelon and colleagues sent comprehensive questionnaires every 2 years to 28,118 women who reached menopause between 1990 and 2000.

The average age of the women at study entry was 45.8 years, with first menopausal symptoms reported at an average age of 50.3 years. Oral contraceptives were used by 9.23 percent of women at study entry.

The risk of onset of menopausal symptoms was negatively associated with education level, as well as usual duration of menstrual cycles, parity, and current use of oral contraceptives. The risk was also reduced in underwent, overweight, and obese women, but only postmenopause.

Smoking and alcohol consumption were positively associated with menopausal symptom risk, along with depression, migraine, benign thyroid disease, and atopy. There was also a positive association with dietary factors such as rapidly absorbed sugars and snacking.

The researchers say: “Our results suggest some influence of diet…Consequently, women could be advised to limit snacking, smoking, and drinking to minimize onset of menopausal symptoms.”

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