Neighborhood Vulnerability and Age of Natural Menopause and Menopausal Symptoms Among Midlife Women
Authors' conclusion
In this cohort study, women who resided in neighborhoods with very high vulnerability within 10 years of the perimenopause period exhibited higher risk of earlier natural menopause. Future research is warranted to explore whether initiatives to improve neighborhood conditions could mitigate the association of neighborhood disadvantage with earlier menopause onset.
Study context
- Population
- Midlife women in Project Viva, enrolled in eastern Massachusetts, followed from pregnancy to midlife (1999–2021), with geocoded addresses at enrollment, 8- and 13-year follow-up; mean enrollment age 33.7 years
- Participants
- 691 women
- Exposure
- Very high vs very low neighborhood Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
- Very highn = 87
- Outcome
- Age at natural menopause; menopausal symptom severity (Menopause Rating Scale, 0-44)
Methodological detailsProject Viva
- Project Viva
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Earlier natural menopause, by SVI at each time point
Very high vs Very lowAdjusted hazard ratio (95% CI)
SVI at enrollment
1.36(0.90–2.06)
SVI at 8-year follow-up
2.23(1.29–3.85)
SVI at 13-year follow-up
2.18(1.30–3.66)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Median
Very high
52.0 (95% CI 51.0–53.0) years
Very low
53.0 (95% CI 53.0–54.0) years
Median
Very high
51.0 (95% CI 50.0–53.0) years
Very low
53.0 (95% CI 53.0–54.0) years
- 38 of 635 in very high SVI
Median
Very high
51.0 (95% CI 50.0–53.0) years
Very low
53.0 (95% CI 53.0–54.0) years
- 41 of 660 in very high SVI
Original publication
Neighborhood Vulnerability and Age of Natural Menopause and Menopausal Symptoms Among Midlife Women. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 May 2025. doi:10.
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