Menopause is a natural stage of life when a woman’s monthly periods stop permanently because the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55.
However, some women experience it much earlier, sometimes before the age of 40, which is known as premature menopause. Doctors have long known that early menopause can affect bone health and fertility, but growing evidence suggests it may also influence long-term heart health.
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. It often develops without obvious symptoms, which is why many people do not know they have it until it has already damaged the heart, brain, or kidneys. Understanding who is at greater risk can help doctors identify people who may benefit from earlier screening and treatment.
A new study from Spain has found that women who enter menopause at a younger age are more likely to develop high blood pressure later in life. The research suggests that the earlier menopause begins, the greater the risk appears to become.
The study was led by Dr. Vicente Arrarte from Dr. Balmis University Hospital of Alicante. Researchers analyzed information from nearly 108,000 women taking part in the UK Biobank, one of the world’s largest long-term health studies. The participants joined between 2006 and 2010 and were followed until the end of 2023.
During the study, around 17% of all women developed high blood pressure. The researchers found that the risk steadily increased as the age of menopause became younger. Women who experienced menopause before the age of 40 had about a 12% higher risk of high blood pressure than women whose menopause occurred after age 45.
The numbers showed a clear pattern. Nearly 23% of women with premature menopause had high blood pressure, while about 19% of women with early menopause also developed the condition. By comparison, fewer than 17% of women who reached menopause at the usual age developed high blood pressure.
One of the most surprising findings was that the highest risk was seen in women whose menopause happened between the ages of 25 and 35. This suggests that the youngest women with premature menopause may need even closer monitoring than previously thought.
The researchers also found an interesting difference. Women whose menopause resulted from surgical removal of the ovaries did not show the same increase in blood pressure risk after other health factors were taken into account. This suggests that natural premature menopause and surgical menopause may affect the body differently.
Experts say doctors should now consider the age at menopause as an important part of assessing cardiovascular risk. Dr. Stephanie Faubion of The Menopause Society, who was not involved in the study, said women with premature menopause should have regular checks for blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors.
She also noted that hormone therapy is usually recommended until the normal age of menopause unless there is a medical reason not to use it.
The study was published in the journal Menopause. Although this research cannot prove that early menopause directly causes high blood pressure, the very large number of participants and long follow-up strengthen the findings.
Future studies will explore why early menopause affects blood vessels and whether earlier treatment can lower risk. Overall, the study provides strong evidence that women with premature menopause deserve closer long-term heart care, while reminding patients to discuss their personal risks and treatment options with their healthcare providers.
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Source: Dr. Balmis University Hospital of Alicante.
