Diet linked to menopause timing

(Reuters Health) - A UK study suggests that diets rich in certain foods may be a factor in the timing of menopause.

Researchers who studied more than 14,000 women found that those whose diets included lots of fish and legumes entered menopause years later, on average, than women who didn’t eat much of these foods.

Conversely, eating more refined carbohydrates, including pasta and rice, was tied to earlier menopause, the research team reports in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Understanding perimenopause

Perimenopause is considered a precursor to menopause. This phase can last years before your period ceases for good. Although the length of time women spend in this transitional phase varies, the natural body processes at play are largely the same.

During perimenopause, a woman’s estrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate. Overall, these hormones levels are decreasing. Estrogen levels may go up and down a bit more before leveling out as your body settles into menopause. These natural hormone fluctuations of perimenopause can often cause different symptoms for different women.

Some common symptoms of perimenopause include:

• irregular periods, which includes changes in flow or frequency
• vaginal dryness
• mood changes, including irritability or depression
• hot flashes
• night sweats, which may inhibit sleep

PASTA AND OILY FISH

Hot flashes, fatigue and, of course, changes to your period. The menopause can be a trying time for many women—but for some it can have serious health implications. These are the women, researchers think, that might benefit from a study investigating diet and the timing of menopause.

Researchers have linked certain foods to a delay in the start of menopause in a study including data from more than 14,150 women in the U.K. But, outside experts caution that women should not change their diets just yet. The results were revealed Monday in a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 

Include foods that are good for the bones

After going through the menopause, your bones will begin to lose density. This can make them weaker over time, so it is important to make sure you're getting enough calcium and vitamin D, which are vital for bone health.