International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Early menopause has been shown to have an association with a potentially lethal brain condition.

A new report published in Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery revealed the younger a woman is when she undergoes the biological changes the more likely she is to suffer a cerebral aneurysm.

The results show that each successive four-year increase in the age at which menopause occurs reduced the risk by around 21 per cert.

In addition, hormone replacement therapy was also shown to lessen the risk of aneurysm by 77 per cent.

Researchers at Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago hypothesised that the association could be influenced by a woman's level of oestrogen.

"These data may identify a risk factor for [the development of this condition] and also a potential target for future therapies," said lead investigator Dr Michael Chan.

Earlier this month, scientists at Skane University Hospital, Sweden revealed that early onset of the menopause could be linked with a milder former of rheumatoid arthritis.

Posted by David Smith