Schreinlechner M, Noflatscher M, Reinstadler SJ, et al. - Researchers investigated how the onset of menopause (MP) can influence the extent and progression of atherosclerotic plaque volume (PV). For this purpose, they examined consecutive postmenopausal women (n = 110; mean age: 65.5 years) carrying at least one cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) but without confirmed cardiovascular disease. A significantly higher PV was observed in females with an earlier MP onset (< 45 years) vs those with an intermediate (45–52 years) or later MP onset (> 52 years), regardless of other CVRFs. Also, a higher PV progression was seen in females with an earlier onset of MP vs those with an intermediate or late onset. These observations were validated in multivariate regression, where the significant predictors for a higher atherosclerotic progression were only the onset of MP and age.