Researchers conducted a study comparing the health records of 5,800 women who entered menopause before the age of 40 to 23,000 women who did not. The results indicated that women who entered menopause before age 40 were twice as likely to die from heart disease and four times as likely to die from cancer. Experts suggest that hormone replacement therapy should be considered among the treatments for early menopause, including both spontaneous and surgically induced menopause. Women who experience premature menopause not only face increased mortality risks but this research also applies to women who have had their ovaries removed for various reasons. Dr. Vanessa Soviero, an OB/GYN, emphasized the need for further research on women’s health, given that only a small percentage of women experience premature menopause.
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital in Finland analyzed women diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) between 1988 and 2017, comparing them to women without POI. The findings, which have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, revealed that women with POI were twice as likely to die from heart disease and four times as likely to die from any type of cancer. Women with POI also had a higher risk of overall mortality. There was no significant difference in mortality risk between women with naturally occurring POI and those with surgically induced POI. This study is the largest to date on the relationship between premature menopause and mortality risk, including women who have undergone surgically induced menopause.
Previous studies have highlighted the connection between menopause and heart health, with menopause before age 40 carrying additional risks. Dr. Soviero recommends considering hormone replacement therapy before entering menopause when symptoms of perimenopause start to develop. Initiating hormone therapy early can provide benefits for cardiac, cognitive, and bone health. Birth control pills are recommended for women with POI or those who have had their ovaries removed as they can reduce the risks associated with low estrogen. The study found that women who used hormone replacement therapy for at least six months had a 50% lower risk of dying from cancer or other causes.
Dr. Soviero educates her patients about the benefits of hormones, particularly estrogen, and the misconceptions surrounding hormone replacement therapy. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the benefits of estrogen and progesterone after menopause, as estrogen is crucial for heart, brain, and bone health, while progesterone protects the uterus. Women who have a history of breast cancer, uterine cancer, or blood clotting disorders should avoid hormone therapy. Despite some risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, the benefits are believed to outweigh the risks. The researchers plan to assess the long-term impact of hormonal therapy to improve the health of women with premature ovarian insufficiency by increasing awareness of the risks among healthcare professionals and women themselves.
