Evaluation of Relationships between Menopause Onset Age and Bone Mineral Density and Muscle Strength in Women from South‐Western Poland

Abstract

Introduction. The onset of the menopause entails numerous changes, both physical and mental, in the functioning of the bodies of women. Moreover, the early menopause increases the risk of occurrence of many civilization-related diseases. Major factors contributing to health deficits include lowered bone mineral density and sarcopenia, which can result in serious functional limitations and the acceleration of ageing processes in the body. The aim of this study was to determine how the menopause onset age is linked with bone mineral density and the strength of selected muscles of the limbs and the trunk. Material and Methods. 756 women aged 50-80 years were subjected to tests. The subjects were divided into three groups: (I) from 50 to 59 years, (II) from 60 to 69 years, and (III) from 70 to 79 years. Each of the women specified the age when her final menstrual period occurred. On this basis, groups of women with (1) the early menopause—before the 50th year of life—and (2) with the late menopause—after the 50th year of life—were distinguished. Bone mineral density (BMD), dominant hand grip strength, knee extensor and flexor strength, and functional upper and lower body muscle strength were determined in each of the women. Results. The test results indicate differences in levels of muscle strength and BMD between the 50-year-old early- and late-menopausal women. The late-menopausal women score better motor ability test results and higher BMD values. The differences decrease in the groups of 60-year-old women, whereas the 70-year-old early- and late-menopausal women score similar results. Conclusions. A higher percentage of women with a lowered bone mass and a lower strength level was found in the group of early-menopausal subjects. The rate of decline in hand grip strength, the functional efficiency of the upper and lower limbs, and BMD is faster in the late-menopausal women, whereby the two groups of 70-year-old women score similar test results.

The association between reproductive period and handgrip strength in postmenopausal women: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…17 Another study found that women who experienced menopause earlier than 50 years had lower muscle strength than late-menopausal women. 18 A study of 765 menopausal women also confirmed that women who had premature natural menopause (menopause at <40 years) had lower physical function ("Timed Up and Go" test and short physical performance battery) than those who had menopause at >40 years. 19 In addition, our study found that the late menopause age is related to higher absolute HGS, relative HGS, after adjusting for age.…”

“…16 Moreover, studies have examined the relationship between menopausal age and muscle mass, muscle strength, and function. [17][18][19] One study showed that muscle strength, measured by HGS, decreased as the age at spontaneous menopause decreased. 17 Another study found that women who experienced menopause earlier than 50 years had lower muscle strength than late-menopausal women.…”

Factors Associated With Changes In Bone-Mass Density In Post Menopause Female Patients With Osteopenia

“…However, bone mass density in women with late onset was better than in women with early onset of menopause. (13) Vitamin D insufficiency is known to be a common risk factor for osteoporosis associated with increase bone remodeling and lower bone mass density. Bone turnover is a balance of osteoblast function, which differentiates from mesenchymal stem cells, and osteoclasts, which originate from hematogenous cells and are the result of fusion of monocytes.…”

Early Menopause May Associate With a Higher Risk of CKD and All-Cause Mortality in Postmenopausal Women: An Analysis of NHANES, 1999–2014

“…Since this is a questionnaire survey, considering that participants may not be clear about the question, a lot of them reported the age of menopause was the same as age at screening, and most of the participants reported extreme values to have incomplete information. To ensure the accuracy of data, we ruled out 216 women with extreme age at menopause (<30 years old or >60) and 253 women younger than 50 years old at screening consistent with the past study (15)(16)(17). Both groups exclude women with missing data of age, race, age at the last period, serum creatinine, or urinary albumin-creatinine ratio.…”