Did menopause evolve as a byproduct of a maternal care to the offspring?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

I have read lots of theories regarding this topic.

One of the last ones suggests menopause in humans (Just like only 3 other existing species of animals that experience menopause) might have evolved due to the fact that later born offsprings needed more maternal care for survival, so if a mother kept reproducing, she would no longer be able to contribute to the survival of her already born offsprings. Eventually 4 species, including humans evolved menopause as a means to stop reproduction and invest the energy into the survival of offsprings that have already been born.

As it takes less of a work for her and a better chance of keeping her genes alive.

[Drewtate]

In the past most people didn't live past 30 so menopause wasn't really a factor. It's just like men are physically in their prime roughly around 30 and the physically.

Menopause, like old age in men which is called Andropause in just the body getting older and start to decline. Think about it, in the past anyone who made it to past 30 into middle age would have been suffering with the wear and tear of a hard life. They would have started losing their teeth, arthritis, Osteoarthritis, rickets, back problems etc.

Andropause involves a reduction in testosterone, androgen deficiency, and hypogonadism. Testosterone is a hormone involved in libido, mental and physical energy, muscle mass maintenance, and regulation of the fight-or-flight respons Symptoms of andropause include, Low energy. Depression, Drop in libido, Erectile dysfunction, Reduced muscle mass, Lowered self-esteem, Increased body fat.

[Drewtate]

Think about it. Men and women are not entirely equal physically with men generally being faster, stronger, greater bone density, more aggressive and with more physical endurance whereas women's bodies because they are built for carrying and birthing a child sacrifices a lot of this support a womb and has lower bone density because a woman needs to pass a child through her pelvis bone but because humans walk upright this makes that more difficult and dangerous compared to say our ape cousins. Women also put on more body fat after 30 because they are not burning as much energy as they were at younger age supporting their reproductive organs and cellular regrowth. That's why younger people heal and recover quicker than older people. As your body starts to decay it basically can no longer support your reproductive organs and that's why menopause happens.

[NamerOfStars]

3? I only know of orcas and short-finned pilot whales; what's the third?

Anyway, I think that's part of it, but there's another: to keep women from competing for survival resources with her own daughters. Human infants are born in the fetal stage, and require absolute attention for a LONG time; a parent who's not going to survive until they reach adulthood isn't going to be an asset for them like on who IS would.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Could you share where you have read about this theory?

[RoseySarah]

Kinda the age of when we have it destroys that.

They are talking like bc so women had kids at like 12 or 16. We barely lived till 35 let alone 45

By then our kids would be 20 and by those standards older man who was starting a family of his own.

Only recently have we been living longer girl!

[NamerOfStars]

No, that's not how long we lived, that was the AVERAGE- it didn't go up because we lived longer as individuals.

[RoseySarah]

@NamerOfStars medicine made it go up and yes it's the average but evolution does not care about one women living to be 60 when all the others die at 40.

Also labor was so much harder! The strain on your body was so much

[NamerOfStars]

But the others DON'T all die at forty; most of those who die do so before reaching reproductive age. That's why the average was so low.

[RoseySarah]

No they died in child birth
Women died in child birth your talking guys!
This is a women's question

Comment your own and get off my comment!
You men always do this so annoying!

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

@NamerOfStars Please, provide scientific sources for the theories you share.

[Drewtate]

Life was hard in the past. An injury we take for granted like a broken or fractured leg could be a death sentence. A fall from a height meant death.. Then you've got disease, the elements, wild animals, rickets, natural disasters and even if you did live past 30 a hard life would have meant you'd be carrying old injuries that would become more prominent.

[NamerOfStars]

@RoeySarah If this were a "women's question", I wouldn't even be able to SEE it.

And yes, how dare I answer a question that's been asked for the express purpose of getting answers, on a site whose entire existence is for questions to be answered.

And *I* am the one who's annoying.

[NamerOfStars]

@LaFemmeFatale_1 If you want, I'll see if I can dig some up.

[RoseySarah]

No every one died before 50

[Apple1996]

I'm not sure why it happened but I'm thankful because i dont wanna be fertile my whole life.. Unfortunately looking that way genetically is bad for me because my mom is 60 and just hitting menopause. Hoping mine comes sooner than that 🙏

[Sevenpointfive]

it's definitely hormonal. just like a mother being able to produce milk long after her baby needs it.

[Dargil]

I'm not a scientist, but I can read. I think it emerged as a consequence of birth defects in late births. I can't speculate on the mechanism.

[RedInnocent68]

Oh, that’s interesting. I suppose it has to do with level of care. Humans are pretty useless as animals.

[Grond21]

It's an interesting idea. Unfortunately I no longer believe evolution has much explanatory power anymore

[KostasKouvalis]

I have no idea. Why the sudden fascination with the topic? Are you experiencing it?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Haha, nope. Even my mom who’s 47 is still fertile. I have topics I randomly get interested in and spend my day researching.

I am a researcher by nature haha, I read all the time when I am not busy having fun.

[KostasKouvalis]

She actually told you that?😂

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Told me what? My mom and I are close and I know about her cycle and reproductive health.

[AmeerX]

God put it the way it is but yes the scientific reason seems plausible

[Massageman]

God is simply an excellent planner.

[Masterodd]

... um...