Timing of menarche and menopause and epigenetic aging among U.S. adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002
Paediatrics
Timing of menarche and menopause and epigenetic aging among U.S. adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002
Paediatrics

Timing of menarche and menopause and epigenetic aging among U.S. adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002

Clin Epigenetics. 2025 Feb 21;17(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s13148-025-01827-x.

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.

PMID:39984995 | DOI:10.1186/s13148-025-01827-x