India, Oct. 15 -- Menopause involves abrupt physiological changes across multiple body systems, rather than being an entirely gradual process, according to a new study published in Nature Medicine.

Researchers analysed more than 300 million laboratory tests from over one million women in the US and Israel between 1999 and 2024.

In the US dataset, 52 of 90 laboratory tests showed statistically significant abrupt changes around menopause, including measures of bone health, liver and kidney function, and blood chemistry.

Hormonal changes began much earlier, with anti-Mullerian hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone showing accelerated changes about 15 years before the final menstrual period.

Researchers found that menopausal hormone th...