title: Correlates of age at natural menopause: a community-based study in Alexandria.
abstract: Differences in the age at natural menopause were examined using a retrospective population sample of 289 naturally menopausal women. The mean age at natural menopause was 46.70 +/- 5.44 years. Earlier menopause occurred in women living in semiurban areas, divorced/separated and less educated women, and women who were younger at: first marriage, widowhood, divorce/separation and first or last full-term pregnancy. Later menopause occurred in women who had: irregular menstrual periods before 25 years, dysmenorrhoea and mid-cycle spotting. Duration of oral contraceptives use, weight and body mass index were significantly positively correlated with age at natural menopause. Multiple regression analyses indicated that age at last full-term pregnancy, residence, pattern of menstrual cessation and duration of oral contraceptive use were the significant predictors of the end of menstrual activity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Hidayet
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sharaf
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Aref
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Tawfik
authors.forename: I I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Moubarak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004522:Educational Status; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral