Gynaecological variables
Participants were assigned to premenopausal, early and late
perimenopausal, and postmenopausal groups according to the slightly
modified Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW+10)
criteria20 which takes systemic hormone status and
self-reported menstrual cycle into account. Menstrual cycle was assessed
based on menstrual diary for 6 to 12 months. Follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH) and 17β-oestradiol (E2) levels were
determined, but only FSH level was used to aid defining menopausal
status, due to the high pulsatile variability of the E2level. Self-reported data on gynaecological factors, e.g., gestations,
parity, and whether a participant had undergone hysterectomy were
collected.