‘ Women who begin menopause early develop diabetes’

Thessaloniki: Women who begin the menopause before turning 40 are 50 per cent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, a study claims. Researchers also found women who stop having periods before 45 are 15 per cent more at risk than women who enter the menopause at the “normal” age. The average age for the start of the menopause is 51 in the UK and US but thousands begin the natural process as early as 40. Greek scientists believe a drop in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone during the menopause may reduce insulin production. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body stops making insulin or no longer responds to the hormone that is produced. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki researchers analysed 13 studies with a total of 191,762 postmenopausal women, of which 21,664 had type 2 diabetes. “This is the first meta- analysis to show both early menopause and premature ovarian failure are linked with increased risk of type 2 diabetes,” lead author Dr Panagiotis Anagnostis said. “Women who experience early menopause should be especially vigilant about eating healthily and exercising to help reduce their risk of developing diabetes.” The study was presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in Berlin. Although the link between the menopause and type 2 diabetes is unclear, previous research suggests oestrogen protects the insulin- making cells in the pancreas. Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: “This research doesn’t prove that early menopause can cause type 2 diabetes, but it suggests that when it happens, it could be a factor to watch out for.”