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Lung Function Declines Earlier Than Previously Thought during Menopause
Table of Contents
Published November 8, 2025, at 09:27:55 PST
Key Findings
A recent study published in Chest (Imai R et al., 2025) reveals that declines in lung function begin years before menopause, accelerating during perimenopause and continuing at a similar rate postmenopause. The study focused on Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), finding a significant decline in FVC, while changes in FEV1 were more modest.
Specifically, the research demonstrated that the rate of FVC decline accelerated significantly during perimenopause compared to the slower decline observed in premenopausal women. This accelerated decline continued at a comparable pace after menopause. While FEV1 also decreased, the changes were less pronounced than those observed with FVC.
Clinical Implications for Midlife Women
These findings challenge the customary view of lung function changes as solely a postmenopausal issue. The study suggests a progressive decline begins well before the final menstrual period, highlighting the importance of early awareness and intervention. Even small annual declines can accumulate substantially over time, potentially becoming clinically significant, especially for women with compounding risk factors.
Women with higher Body mass Index (BMI), sedentary lifestyles, or a history of smoking are especially vulnerable.These factors can amplify the natural decline in lung function associated with the menopausal transition.
Clinicians managing cardiometabolic health in midlife women should now consider incorporating respiratory fitness assessments into routine preventive visits.While the study doesn’t establish a causal link, it strongly suggests that the menopausal transition represents a period of increased vulnerability for pulmonary health.
Understanding Lung Function Metrics
To better understand the study’s findings, it’s helpful to define the key metrics used:
- FVC (Forced Vital Capacity): The total amount of air a person can forcibly exhale after a deep breath. A decline in FVC indicates reduced lung capacity.
- FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second): The amount of air a person can forcibly exhale in the first second of a forced breath. FEV1 measures airflow and can indicate airway obstruction.
The study’s focus on FVC suggests that the menopausal transition may primarily affect the lungs’ ability to expand fully, rather than the speed at which air can be exhaled.
Timeline of Menopause and Lung Function
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