{
  "id": 3744229,
  "title": "Earlier menopause linked to higher risk of bronchiectasis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/earlier-menopause-linked-to-higher-risk-of-bronchiectasis",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-27T13:20:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-earlier-menopause-linked-higher-bronchiectasis.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study published in the July 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases journal suggests that women with a shorter reproductive lifespan are at a higher risk of developing bronchiectasis, a chronic lung disease. Bronchiectasis, characterized by enlarged, thickened, and scarred airways, leads to a buildup of mucus and impaired lung function. The study, involving nearly 97,000 postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative, found that reproductive health and hormonal factors may play a significant role in bronchiectasis risk among older women. Researchers noted that women with a reproductive lifespan of over 40 years had a 22% lower risk of developing bronchiectasis compared to those with a lifespan under 30 years. Additionally, hormone therapy use was associated with a 19% higher risk of bronchiectasis.",
  "summary": "Women with a shorter reproductive lifespan are at greater risk of developing bronchiectasis, according to a new study in the July 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation.",
  "key_points": [
    "Women with shorter reproductive lifespan face higher bronchiectasis risk",
    "Reproductive health and hormones impact bronchiectasis risk in older women",
    "Hormone therapy use linked to 19% higher bronchiectasis risk"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}