International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Females have been urged to take steps to try to avoid entering the menopause early if it is possible.

According to John Hopkins University School of Medicine, lifestyle factors such as smoking can bring forward the time when a woman's years of fertility come to an end.

However, research by the institution - published in the Menopause journal – states that early menopause can increase a person's susceptibility to stroke and coronary heart disease.

As a result, it believes women should take steps such as quit smoking in order to delay the onset of menopause and subsequent health conditions such as cardiovascular issues.

"If physicians know a patient has entered menopause before her 46th birthday, they can be extra vigilant in making recommendations and providing treatments to help prevent heart attacks and stroke," said assistant professor Dhananjay Vaidya.

The study by John Hopkins University School of Medicine also showed the findings apply to females from various ethnic groups.

Posted by Paul Robertson