Medical researchers have found out that certain genes may determine the onset of menopause among women. The findings of the study, which was published on Monday, could help in the development of more effective fertility drugs and help researchers better understand the medical complications that usually accompanies menopause.

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Menopause usually occurs to females aged between 40 and 60. Scientists, however, have no idea what triggers it to start.

In the study available on the Nature Genetics site, researchers went through thousands of female DNA and noted when each of them started having menopause.

Their findings revealed that two set of genes are involved in repairing the female body. The first set is in charge of restoring the female DNA to its normal state after eggs are developed. The second genes are the ones responsible for repairing DNA that have been affected by factors such as drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes.

When menopause begins, females have only about ten years before they no longer have the ability to have children. The repairing genes can determine the number of healthy eggs a female has.

Unfortunately, the researchers were only able to identify the genes that can influence the start of menopause, but they could still not tell at what age a female starts having it.

Co-researcher Doctor Anna Murray said there are still a number of variables that they have to take into account before the research can be completed.

Medical experts believe that the onset of menopause is usually determined by a female's genes and her lifestyle.

The study also found out that women with healthier genes tend to have menopause at later date. But their risk of getting breast cancer will also increase.

There seems to be a link between genes that determine the start of a female's menstruation and menopause as well as the tendency of having breast cancer.

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists spokesperson Doctor Edward Morris said the study validated their belief that the risk of breast cancer increases with females having delayed menopause.

Tagsmenopause, menopause onset, female genes, royal college of obstetricians and gynecologists, nature genetics, female eggs, breast cancer, female dna, women's lifestyle