London, Jan 15 (TIWN) Women who have sex more often are less likely to have an early menopause, researchers say, adding that women who reported having sexual activity weekly were 28 per cent less likely to have experienced menopause than those who had sex less than once a month.

Similarly, those who had sex monthly were 19% less likely to have attained menopause -- defined as 12 months without a period -- than those who had sex less than once a month. While the study didn't look at the reason for the link, the authors said that the physical cues of sex may signal to the body that there is a possibility of getting pregnant. But for women who aren't having sex frequently in midlife, an earlier menopause may make more biological sense. "If you're not going to reproduce, there's no point ovulating -- you're better off using that energy elsewhere," said Megan Arnot, the lead author of the study and a PhD candidate in evolutionary anthropology at University College London.