AGE AT MENOPAUSE IN CENTRAL ANDEAN PERUVIAN WOMEN

The objective of the present study was to determine median age al natu ral menopause using the status quo method and the sociodemographic and reproductive variables that determine the age at natural menopause in Peruvian women from Lima and Cerro de Pasco. The study was performed in one urban area from Cerro de Pasco (4,340 m above sea level) and in one urban area from Lima (150 m above sea level). The total sample wa s 469 women aged 28-56 years, 216 from Cerro de Pasco and 253 from Lim a. Median age at menopause was 47.1 years at sea level, and 46.14 year s at high altitude (p = 0.0005). Results of the proportional hazard re gression analysis showed that life at high altitude and lack of use of oral contraceptives were factors associated with early age at menopau se, whereas later age at menarche and higher chronological age were as sociated with delayed age at menopause. In conclusion, altitude is a f actor that independently accelerated age at natural menopause.