Heritability of menopausal age in mothers and daughters.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Observational two-generation family study using population-based cohort data
PubMed 15533358 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.04.047
What was done
Researchers estimated the heritability of age at natural menopause using a random-effects model applied to 164 mother-daughter pairs derived from two-generation families in a population-based study.
What was found
The heritability of age at natural menopause was estimated at 44% (95% confidence interval, 36% to 50%).
Why it matters
It provides quantitative family-based evidence that genetic factors substantially influence the timing of natural menopause, aiding understanding of reproductive lifespan determination.
Limits
The sample size is relatively small (164 pairs). The abstract does not report specific demographics, potential shared non-genetic familial environmental factors, or the precision of recall regarding menopausal age.
Cited by
- supports Maternal age at menopause is a strong predictor of a woman's age of menopause onset.