The Dangerous of late menopause

Menopause is a normal, natural part of the aging process for all women. It is marked as having occurred after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. The average age for menopause is approximately 51, but it may occur much earlier or much later.

Significance
Menopause marks the end of a woman's fertile, reproductive years. Women who experience late menopause may become pregnant in their 50s or 60s. These pregnancies are considered high risk for both the baby and the mother.

Considerations
Late menopause has been linked to increased risks of ovarian cancer, according to the National Ovarian Cancer Association. The risk for ovarian cancer is greatest for women between the ages of 60 and 70.

Function
During menopause, the body ceases production of certain hormones such as estrogen. A woman who experiences late menopause may have an increased risk for breast and uterine cancer as a result of her body's continued exposure to estrogen.

Effects
Undergoing late menopause appears to increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer, according to Penn State University's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The connection between late menopause and endometrial cancer is not clearly understood.

Benefits
While there are numerous detrimental effects of late menopause, according to DrMirken.com. There are also a number of benefits to late menopause including improved bone thickness, improved cardiovascular performance, enhanced mood and increased longevity of life.