A recent study published online in Menopause on April 30 suggests that women undergoing surgical premature menopause (PM) face a heightened risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders compared to those experiencing menopause at a normal age (NAM).

Led by María S. Vallejo, M.D., from the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, the study compared muscle disorders in 176 women with PM and 468 with NAM.

The findings revealed that women undergoing PM reported significantly more musculoskeletal discomfort (33.5% versus 20.9%) and a higher prevalence of sarcopenia (35.2% versus 19.9%) compared to those with NAM. Moreover, individuals with surgical PM exhibited an even higher prevalence of severe musculoskeletal discomfort (46.7% versus 29.3%) and a greater likelihood of sarcopenia (45.0% versus 27.6%) compared to women experiencing NAM.

However, spontaneous PM was not associated with elevated odds of musculoskeletal discomfort or sarcopenia after adjusting for various factors including age, body mass index, menopausal hormone therapy use, physical activity, education, cigarette consumption, use of antidepressants, sexual activity, comorbidities, and having a partner.

Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of The Menopause Society, commented on the study's significance, emphasizing the potential long-term musculoskeletal effects of surgical premature menopause.

She noted that surgical PM results in a more abrupt and complete loss of ovarian hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, compared to natural menopause. Dr. Faubion suggested that hormone therapy until the natural age of menopause might mitigate some adverse long-term effects of early estrogen loss.

However, it's important to note that several authors of the study disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry