Researchers have identified a host of genes linked to female ageing, it has been announced.
The Peninsula Medical School and Oxford University, UK, were among centres that helped to identify 13 genetic regions linked to the menopause.
Researchers say the findings should also provide clues about diseases linked to the onset of the menopause, such as breast cancer and heart disease.
The 13 regions bring the total number of genetic regions linked to age of menopause to 17.
The findings, reported in Nature Genetics, come from a world-wide study of more than 50,000 women.
Other researchers included Jenny Visser, of Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam the Netherlands.
Researcher Dr Anna Murray, of Exeter University, UK, said: "Menopause is a process most women go through, yet we know very little about what governs the timing of this key event in a woman’s life.
"By finding out which genes control the timing of menopause we hope to be able understand why this happens very early to some women, reducing their chances of having children naturally."
Nature Genetics January 22 2012
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