Recent findings reveal a significant connection between early menopause and the onset of fatty liver disease, along with related metabolic complications. A comprehensive study conducted at the Joint Congress between the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and the European Society of Endocrinology highlights how women experiencing menopause before 45 years of age are particularly susceptible to these health challenges shortly after this life transition. This investigation represents the most extensive research on this topic over a five-year span.

Women typically undergo menopause between their mid-40s and mid-50s as part of natural biological aging. Following this phase, they face heightened risks for chronic conditions such as fatty liver disease and other metabolic dysfunctions. These disorders, collectively known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), result from excessive fat accumulation in the liver. While MASLD risk escalates around the average age of menopause, understanding the precise relationship between menopausal timing and MASLD remains elusive. The Israeli research team analyzed data from nearly 90,000 women, categorizing them by their menopausal onset age: those who reached menopause between 40–44 years, those aged 45–49, and those yet to experience it by 50. Results indicated that women entering menopause between 40–44 had an elevated likelihood of developing fatty liver disease within a year post-menopause. Furthermore, early menopause was linked to increased chances of pre-diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and unhealthy lipid levels.

These discoveries underscore the importance of recognizing early menopause as a critical factor in evaluating cardiovascular and metabolic health risks among women. Lead researcher Dr. Joshua Stokar emphasized that previous studies on this subject often yielded inconsistent outcomes due to limited participant numbers and brief observation periods. Their expansive study provides robust evidence supporting the idea that women enjoy some protection against cardio-metabolic diseases during the perimenopausal stage. Looking ahead, the researchers aim to explore the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women transitioning into or already through menopause. They propose that HRT might reduce the likelihood of MASLD in women with early menopause, potentially alleviating broader cardio-metabolic burdens in aging populations. By advancing such interventions, there is hope for improving overall health outcomes for post-menopausal women worldwide.