Scientists studied 1 million women before menopause-one pattern stood out

Key Points:

• A new study published in Nature Medicine reveals that women experience a sudden, body-wide "physiological cliff" of changes around their final menstrual period, affecting multiple systems including hormones, bone health, liver, kidney function, and blood chemistry.
• These abrupt changes, distinct from gradual aging, are linked to increased disease risks such as osteoporosis, liver disease, and heart conditions, highlighting menopause as a critical period for women's health.
• Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was observed to reduce the severity of these physiological changes, particularly in bone, liver, and kidney markers, though researchers caution that the findings are observational and require clinical trials for confirmation.
• Experts emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyle habits and medical consultation around menopause to mitigate health risks, noting that while MHT can help, it is not suitable for all women and does not eliminate all menopause-related changes.
• The study underscores the need for further rigorous research into menopause's impact on physical and mental health and the potential benefits of early hormone therapy interventions.