Menopause: Better late than early

By Leslie Mann | Special to the Tribune

May 18, 2008

Despite the health advantages that late menopause promises, Ann, 52, hopes this is the last year she will have to put up with menstrual periods.

"I wish I could have stopped getting them after my last child was born, and that was 14 years ago," said Ann, a south suburban teacher who asked that her last name not be used.

Although Ann has missed some periods, she will not reach menopause officially until she has one period-free year.

The average age of menopause is 51, according to the North American Menopause Society. Thanks to estrogen highs and lows that accompany perimenopause, which precedes menopause, many women endure symptoms including hot flashes, vaginal problems and bone loss.

For Ann, perimenopause has meant heavy, lengthy periods. For Lily (not her real name), a north suburban retiree, it meant cramps like she never had when she was younger. Now age 60, Lily reached menopause at age 55.

"Thank goodness for ibuprofen," Lily said.

Long after many of her friends had bought their last box of tampons, Lily said, she was afraid she was bound to "set the world record" for late menopause. In retrospect, though, Lily said she's happy to have had the added years of estrogen protection.

"Periods are a hassle, so many women would love to flick the 'off' switch after they are finished having babies," said Dr. Karen Deighan, a gynecologist at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. "But, overall, late menopause is a good thing."

The longer a woman maintains higher levels of estrogen, said Deighan, the later she is subject to the corresponding osteoporosis, heart disease, strokes and wrinkles. A recent study by the Naval Medical Center in San Diego indicated that the later the menopause, the less cognitive decline later in life.

These advantages outweigh the 1 percent increased risk of breast cancer, Deighan said, and the possibility of unwanted pregnancy.

"If you are still having periods past age 50, you are probably only ovulating sporadically," she said. "But pregnancy can happen. And, when it does at this age, you have a higher chance of hypertension, gestational diabetes and miscarriage."

The best predictor for your age of menopause, said Deighan, is your genes. If Mom was late, then chances are you will be too.

q@tribune.com