Rachel V Thomas

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Menopause Abruptly Shifts Bones, Liver And Blood Fats, Study Finds

<span>Menopause</span> is not just the end of <span>fertility</span> or a gradual part of aging. It may trigger an abrupt, and rapid, “cliff-like” biological shift across multiple body systems, including the bones, liver and blood fats, a study has found.

Menopause is a natural stage of aging that ends menstruation and reproductive function. It usually occurs between ages 45 and 55.

It marks the permanent end of menstruation as ovarian follicles are depleted, leading to changes in several sex hormones. The research, published in Nature Medicine, found that some hormonal changes begin more than a decade before the final menstrual period.

The findings suggest that menopause is a distinct, body-wide physiological transition rather than simply a gradual part of aging. Comparable changes were not observed in men, prompting the researchers to describe the transition as a step-like physiological “cliff.”

Dr. Mia Schaumberg, an associate professor of physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, said the findings revealed a large “jump,” or change, at menopause that appeared like a “cliff” or “step” and progressed beyond “normal” aging, as represented by the male cohort.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-menopause-be-delayed-what-science-says-about-slowing-ovarian-aging-article-156292503" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Menopause Be Delayed? What Science Says About Slowing Ovarian Aging</a>

Menopause has been linked to changes across multiple biological systems. However, establishing when these changes occur has been difficult because the final menstrual period is rarely recorded and long-term studies are relatively small.

To investigate these changes, a team at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel developed a computational method to reconstruct physiological changes around the final menstrual period.

The researchers analyzed more than 300 million laboratory tests from over 1 million women in the United States and Israel, covering the period from 1999 to 2024.

Across both datasets, the researchers observed abrupt changes in multiple body systems around menopause. In the US dataset, 52 of 90 laboratory tests showed statistically significant abrupt changes. These included measurements related to sex hormones, bone health, liver and kidney function, blood chemistry and blood fats.

<h2>Hormonal Changes Begin Over A Decade Early</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/i-was-vocal-about-cancer-but-silent-about-menopause-out-of-shame-says-actress-lisa-ray-article-154343978" data-type="tilCustomLink">‘I Was Vocal About Cancer But Silent About Menopause Out Of Shame’, Says Actress Lisa Ray</a>

The study found that three sex hormones began changing rapidly more than a decade before the final menstrual period:

<ul><li><strong>Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH):</strong> Declined rapidly around 15 years beforehand.</li><li><strong>Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH):</strong> Increased rapidly around 14 years beforehand.</li><li><strong><span rel="noindex">Estradiol</span>:</strong> Changed around 12 years beforehand.</li></ul>

These findings suggest that hormonal changes associated with menopause begin much earlier than the final menstrual period and may precede broader physiological changes.

<h2>How Does Menopause Affect Bones, Liver And Kidneys?</h2>

The physiological changes were not limited to sex hormones such as <span>estrogen</span>. They were also detected in laboratory tests reflecting the function of other bodily systems, including the bones and kidneys.

“The postmenopausal results pointed toward poorer health outcomes,” Dr. Schaumberg said.

The researchers noted that the systems showing the most significant changes, including bone health and the liver, are particularly sensitive to estrogen. In contrast, systems with weaker known links to estrogen did not show detectable changes of the same kind.<h2>Why Experts Disagree?</h2>

Australian experts urge caution interpreting the results. Martha Hickey, head of menopause services at The Women's Hospital Victoria who was not involved in the study, described the claim of "cliff-like" changes across multiple body systems as "unnecessarily alarming" for women.

"Physiological cliff is not a scientific or medical term," she told ABC News.

Sydney-based general practitioner Elina Safro, who chairs the education subcommittee of the Australasian Menopause Society, also agreed.

"My reading is that the 'cliff' theory is not plausible," she said.

<h2>Can Menopausal <span rel="noindex">Hormone Therapy</span> Help?</h2>

The study found that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also called hormone replacement therapy (<span>HRT</span>) and replaces estrogen and progesterone, was associated with smaller changes in several measures, particularly those related to bone, liver and kidney function.

The authors suggested that this finding could indicate a protective effect of MHT on certain bodily systems, including the skeletal system. But more research is needed to establish it.

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Menopause is not just the end of fertility or a gradual part of aging. It may trigger an abrupt, and rapid, “cliff-like” biological shift across multiple body systems, including the bones, liver and blood fats, a study has found.Menopause is a natural stage of aging that ends menstruation and reproductive function. It usually occurs between ages 45 and 55.It marks the permanent end of menstruation as ovarian follicles are depleted, leading to changes in several sex hormones. The research, published in Nature Medicine, found that some hormonal changes begin more than a decade before the final menstrual period.The findings suggest that menopause is a distinct, body-wide physiological transition rather than simply a gradual part of aging. Comparable changes were not observed in men, prompting the researchers to describe the transition as a step-like physiological “cliff.”Dr. Mia Schaumberg, an associate professor of physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, said the findings revealed a large “jump,” or change, at menopause that appeared like a “cliff” or “step” and progressed beyond “normal” aging, as represented by the male cohort.What Did The Study Find?Also read: Can Menopause Be Delayed? What Science Says About Slowing Ovarian AgingMenopause has been linked to changes across multiple biological systems. However, establishing when these changes occur has been difficult because the final menstrual period is rarely recorded and long-term studies are relatively small.To investigate these changes, a team at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel developed a computational method to reconstruct physiological changes around the final menstrual period. The researchers analyzed more than 300 million laboratory tests from over 1 million women in the United States and Israel, covering the period from 1999 to 2024.Across both datasets, the researchers observed abrupt changes in multiple body systems around menopause. In the US dataset, 52 of 90 laboratory tests showed statistically significant abrupt changes. These included measurements related to sex hormones, bone health, liver and kidney function, blood chemistry and blood fats.Hormonal Changes Begin Over A Decade EarlyRead More: ‘I Was Vocal About Cancer But Silent About Menopause Out Of Shame’, Says Actress Lisa RayThe study found that three sex hormones began changing rapidly more than a decade before the final menstrual period:Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH): Declined rapidly around 15 years beforehand.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Increased rapidly around 14 years beforehand.Estradiol: Changed around 12 years beforehand.These findings suggest that hormonal changes associated with menopause begin much earlier than the final menstrual period and may precede broader physiological changes.How Does Menopause Affect Bones, Liver And Kidneys?The physiological changes were not limited to sex hormones such as estrogen. They were also detected in laboratory tests reflecting the function of other bodily systems, including the bones and kidneys.“The postmenopausal results pointed toward poorer health outcomes,” Dr. Schaumberg said.The researchers noted that the systems showing the most significant changes, including bone health and the liver, are particularly sensitive to estrogen. In contrast, systems with weaker known links to estrogen did not show detectable changes of the same kind.Why Experts Disagree?Australian experts urge caution interpreting the results. Martha Hickey, head of menopause services at The Women's Hospital Victoria who was not involved in the study, described the claim of "cliff-like" changes across multiple body systems as "unnecessarily alarming" for women."Physiological cliff is not a scientific or medical term," she told ABC News.Sydney-based general practitioner Elina Safro, who chairs the education subcommittee of the Australasian Menopause Society, also agreed."My reading is that the 'cliff' theory is not plausible," she said.Can Menopausal Hormone Therapy Help?The study found that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and replaces estrogen and progesterone, was associated with smaller changes in several measures, particularly those related to bone, liver and kidney function.The authors suggested that this finding could indicate a protective effect of MHT on certain bodily systems, including the skeletal system. But more research is needed to establish it.

menopause abruptly shifts bones, liver and blood fats, study finds

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