Are there any advantages to still having periods at the age of 56? Is there a benefit to late menopause, or is it better to undergo it earlier?

— Rosemary, Pennsylvania

Having a late menopause (menopause after the age of around 55) is a double-edged sword. There's some evidence that a later menopause carries a decreased risk of coronary heart disease, but there may also be a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. However, the associations between these health conditions and menopause aren't very strong. The other good news is that there are ways to avoid many health problems — such as doing regular exercise, following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and so forth. There is an association between menopause and smoking — smokers often have an earlier menopause. You are probably a nonsmoker, though, which is also good for your health.

Keep in mind too that 56 is well within the normal age range for menopause, though it's toward the upper end of the spectrum. So you have nothing to worry about right now.