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[Preprint]. 2024 Dec 20:2024.12.19.24319271.
doi: 10.1101/2024.12.19.24319271.

Timing of Menarche and Menopause and Epigenetic Aging among U.S. Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002

Saher Daredia  1 , Dennis Khodasevich  2 , Nicole Gladish  2 , Hanyang Shen  2 , Jamaji C Nwanaji-Enwerem  3   4 , Anne K Bozack  2 , Belinda L Needham  5 , David H Rehkopf  2   6 , Julianna Deardorff  7 , Andres Cardenas  2   6
Affiliations

Timing of Menarche and Menopause and Epigenetic Aging among U.S. Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002

Saher Daredia et al. medRxiv. .

Update in

Abstract

Reproductive aging, including timing of menarche and menopause, influences long-term morbidity and mortality in women, yet underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using DNA methylation-based biomarkers, we assessed associations of age at menarche (N=1,033) and menopause (N=658) with epigenetic aging in a nationally representative sample of women ≥50 years. Later age at menopause was associated with lower GrimAge epigenetic age deviation (B = -0.10 years, 95% CI: -0.19, -0.02). No associations were observed for menarche timing. This suggests a connection between earlier menopause and biological aging, with potential clinical implications for identifying those at high risk for age-related disease.

Keywords: DNA methylation; Epigenetic aging; Menarche; Menopause.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Adjusted estimates and 95% CI for associations of epigenetic age deviation with (a) age at menarche and (b) age at menopause.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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