In a study out this past summer, researchers sought to discover the reason behind menopause – i.e. why does menopause occur? The results suggest that it just may be that men prefer younger women, Fox News reports.

The original theories of menopause propose that it is a sort of “natural safeguard” against reproduction for women who will not live long enough to care for their children to adulthood. 

On average in the United States, most women reach menopause around the age of 51. Menopause is clinically defined as the cessation of the menstrual cycle for a consecutive period of 12 months, marking the end of fertility. Menopause is classically thought of as the end of sex and a struggle to maintain health – marking women with a sort of scarlet letter as they move away from their fertile years. However, studies have shown that most women experience improved sex lives after menopause, and through the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, many women enjoy years and years of fruitful living.