Will You Go Through Menopause at the Same Age as Your Mother?
Menopause & HormonesArticleYour mother's age at menopause is a useful clue to yours, but not a forecast. In the Framingham Heart Study, genes explained about half the variation in when women reached menopause, yet the link between mothers and daughters was modest. In a Scottish survey, women whose mothers had early menopause had about six times the odds of early menopause themselves. Here is what the studies show.
“When did Mom go through it?” is one of the first questions women ask when their cycles change. Studies suggest it’s worth asking, with some caveats.
Genes play a big part
The Framingham Heart Study followed women across two generations, including 1,500 mothers and 932 daughters from 1,296 families.1
- The average age at natural menopause was about 49.1
- Genes explained at least half of the differences between women in when menopause came.1
But the direct link between any one mother and daughter was modest:1
| Relatives | Correlation in menopause age |
|---|---|
| Mother and daughter | 0.211 |
| Sisters | 0.221 |
| Aunt and niece | 0.121 |
A correlation of about 0.2 means your mother’s age is a hint, not a prediction. The study took smoking, body weight and number of births into account.1
Early menopause runs in families
A survey of 551 women near Aberdeen, Scotland, looked at early menopause specifically:2
- Women whose own menopause came before 40 reported mothers who’d reached menopause at about 44; women with menopause at a typical age reported mothers at about 48.2
- If a woman’s mother had early menopause, her own odds of early menopause were about 6 times higher.2
One catch: only about half the women knew when their mother went through menopause.2
What this means for you
- Ask your mother, or older relatives, while you can. Many women don’t know.2
- Treat it as a clue. A mother’s early menopause is a stronger signal than a typical one.2
- Know that smoking is linked with earlier menopause; see does smoking cause earlier menopause?
- See a doctor if your periods stop before 45; see early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency.
Try: “My mother went through menopause at 42, and I’m 39 with irregular periods and night sweats. Could I be heading for early menopause, and should anything be tested?”
My Body Changed. Now What? covers figuring out where you are in Chapter 4, “The Change Has a Shape,” in a section called “Finding Your Stage.” Its Visit Brief has a line for family history, where your mother’s menopause age belongs. See the book.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. See a doctor if your periods stop before 45, or before 40, or if you have menopause symptoms at a young age. Early menopause can affect bone and heart health, so it deserves a proper assessment. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (abstract via PubMed), 2005Heritability of age at natural menopause in the Framingham Heart Study (opens in a new tab)abcdefgh
- European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology (abstract via PubMed), 1997Mothers and daughters menopausal ages: is there a link? (opens in a new tab)abcdef
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