Early Menopause Doubles Risk of Stroke

According to a new study published in the medical journal Stroke, women who reach menopause before age 42 have double the risk of ischemic stroke, where the blood vessels clog. The cause of this link is not yet known and findings to determine it are inconsistent, but researchers suspect lower estrogen levels may play a part.

The findings are statistically significant and, of course, more than a little disturbing. It is yet another bit of information on the way that menopause affects overall health. Let's hope more research is done to uncover ways to lessen the susceptibility of stroke for all women, but especially those at increased risk.