Review of studies · Aging · 13 Oct 2026
Across 29 studies and 550,550 women, earlier menopause lined up with a slightly faster DNA-methylation age
Source: Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
What the research found
Study (systematic review and meta-analysis). Matthew Simonson, Andrea Maier, and colleagues at the National University of Singapore pooled 29 earlier studies covering 550,550 women. In an analysis of 5,920 women, each year earlier at menopause lined up with about 0.08 years, roughly one month, of greater GrimAge acceleration, with similar patterns on the Horvath and PhenoAge clocks. Extra pregnancies lined up with about 0.13 years higher PhenoAge acceleration, but that figure was not consistent across clocks. Age at first menstruation showed no consistent link. Most included studies were cross-sectional, and smoking, body weight, and socioeconomic factors could still explain part of the pattern. The authors say this does not mean menopause itself makes every organ age faster. Not medical advice.
Evidence level: Review of studies. This is among the stronger kinds of evidence, but one study rarely settles a question.
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