Computational Analysis of Millions of Laboratory Tests
To establish this timeline, scientists built a computational method inspired by astronomy to analyze over 300 million laboratory tests from more than one million women across two distinct cohorts in the United States and Israel between 1999 and 2024, according to Infobae. This large-scale evaluation allowed researchers to track biological markers across vast datasets, revealing that 52 out of 90 laboratory measurements in the American cohort shifted abruptly around the menopausal transition.
Decade-Long Hormonal Shifts Before the Final Period
The study mapped precise timelines for hormonal alterations occurring long before the final menstrual period. Anti-Müllerian hormone and estradiol dropped rapidly about 15 and 12 years prior, respectively, while follicle-stimulating hormone surged roughly 14 years before, as detailed by Infobae. El País noted these shifts occur about seven years earlier than previously described by older longitudinal projects like the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN).
Accelerated Bone Loss and Biomarker Alterations
Beyond reproductive hormones, the research documented rapid losses in bone mineral density alongside acute changes in liver and renal function, lipid profiles, and blood metal concentrations. Blood lead levels rose sharply due to mineral release from degrading bone mass, while ferritin, serum iron, and hemoglobin increased, lowering anemia risk, Infobae reported. El País added that the year following the final period saw moderate to severe depression rates climb to 19% in the American sample compared to 11% in subsequent years.
Hormone Therapy Associations and Future Treatment Implications
The investigation found that hormone replacement therapy correlated with milder fluctuations in measurements tied to bone health, renal function, and hepatic performance. Authors emphasized that menopause acts as an intrinsic, body-wide biological transition rather than standard aging, noting no comparable patterns in men. Both Infobae and El País highlighted that because researchers utilized retrospective and self-reported data, the observed effects of hormone therapy require confirmation through prospective clinical trials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What datasets were analyzed in the Weizmann Institute study?
Researchers examined more than 300 million laboratory tests from over one million women across cohorts in the United States and Israel between 1999 and 2024, alongside health records from the Israeli insurer Clalit covering 1.3 million women aged 30 to 70.
How early did hormonal changes begin before the final period?
Anti-Müllerian hormone levels began dropping rapidly approximately 15 years before the final menstrual period, follicle-stimulating hormone increased about 14 years prior, and estradiol levels fell roughly 12 years beforehand.
What specific health markers showed immediate post-menopausal spikes?
Depression and sleep difficulties showed a transient peak during the year immediately following the final period, with 19% of the American cohort experiencing moderate to severe depression compared to 11% in later years.