The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) published an article on April 6, 2021, about trends in the reproductive life span of women and the age at menopause. The permanent cessation of menstruation for more than 12 consecutive months resulting from the loss of ovarian function, marks the end of a woman’s reproductive cycle.
Trends of increasing age at natural menopause have been reported worldwide according to the study. The study investigated 60-year trends in age at natural menopause and reproductive life span as well as associated factors among US women. According to data published, women’s reproductive years increased from 35 to 37. The data showed that the average age of menopause for women increased, from 48.4 years to 49.9. And the age that a girl got her first period dropped slightly, on average, from 13.5 years to 12.7.
The increase in reproductive years may be a result of later ages of menopause and earlier ages of the first period, on average.
My doctor told me to have children no later than my thirties. It is hard with all that is going on to have such a limited timeframe in which to have children.
It’s good that women’s reproductive years are expanding but it’s such a small increase. Also, being able to reproduce in one’s teen years is not advantageous. If there were an increase more in the 30’s and 40’s that would be better.