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"In a new study published in Nature Genetics this week, researchers Dr. Anna Murray and Dr. John Perry identified 13 new genetic regions and confirmed 4 regions previously thought to dictate the onset of menopause. The regions are located on genes associated with DNA damage and repair, the immune system, and hormonal regulation. Aside from the fact that this new information may one day make family planning an exact genetic science, it also may help provide insight into diseases that increase in post menopausal women. &amp;quot;The new findings highight biological pathways not previously associated with reproductive lifespan, and may provide insights into the other conditions connected with menopause age, such as cardiovascular disease and breast cancer,&amp;quot; Dr. Perry told the press.  It&amp;#039;s true that cardiovascular disease and incidence of breast cancer increase as we age. Estrogen is thought to be cardio-protective; and the decrease in the hormone is perhaps one reason why postmenopausal women are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease. It&amp;#039;s possible that new genetic research will tease out not only the genes responsible for menopause, but the link between heart disease and breast cancer.  I find this kind of research fascinating. I never think about the timing of menopause as being controlled by our genes; if anything, this time of life feels as if things are out of control -- mood swings, insomnia, hot flashes. Now it&amp;#039;s somewhat comforting to know that while that may be true, it&amp;#039;s certainly scripted. In our genes. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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