The Grandma Hypothesis to support Human Menopause

The Grandmother Hypothesis: Why Menopause Makes Evolutionary Sense

In most animals, females reproduce until the end of their lives. But humans—and a few select animals live for decades after their last period stops.  Why might this be?  After all, why would evolution favour a trait that seemingly limits reproduction?

One thought is the Grandmother Hypothesis, which suggests that post-reproductive females play a crucial role in helping their children survive and thrive.

Living past menopause is seen in:

• Humans – Women typically live for decades after menopause, with grandmothers playing a vital role in family and community life.

• Orcas (Killer Whales) – Female orcas stop reproducing in their 30s or 40s but can live into their 80s. Older females lead their pods, pass down critical survival knowledge, and help younger whales find food, increasing their pod’s survival chances.

• Short-Finned Pilot Whales – Like orcas, these whales rely on experienced older females to guide their groups, ensuring the success of their younger relatives.

• Beluga Whales and Narwhals – Recent studies suggest that these species also experience menopause, further supporting the idea that post-reproductive females contribute to survival in complex social groups.

The Grandmother Hypothesis argues that instead of continuing to reproduce, it becomes more beneficial for older females to shift their energy toward supporting their existing offspring and grandchildren. This increases the chances of their genetic lineage surviving.

Rather than competing with their daughters for resources, postmenopausal grandmothers help raise and protect younger generations, improving their survival odds. In humans, this can mean providing food, passing down knowledge, and offering emotional support.

In orca pods, studies show that older females act as leaders, guiding their families to food sources during tough times. Orcas with post-reproductive mothers have a significantly higher chance of survival than those without.

In human hunter-gatherer societies, grandmothers have been observed playing a key role in feeding and caring for children. Research on the Hadza people of Tanzania shows that grandmothers help gather food, especially energy-rich tubers that young children can’t collect themselves. As a result, children with involved grandmothers tend to be healthier, better fed, and more likely to survive.

This idea aligns with the evolutionary concept of 'inclusive fitness' - where helping relatives survive ensures that an individual’s genes continue into the next generation, even if they are no longer reproducing themselves.

There is also growing research to suggest that our psychological, social, and cultural environments play a significant role in shaping how we experience peri-menopause as different cultures report varying experiences. Western societies tend to emphasize the difficulties of menopause, with common complaints including sleep disturbances and mood swings. However, research suggests that women in places like India, Japan, and China report fewer of these symptoms and instead describe headaches, cold sensations, or stiffness as more prominent issues.

In societies where older women are valued for their wisdom and experience, menopause is seen as a natural and positive transition, rather than a medical problem. This shift in mindset can impact how women perceive their symptoms and how much distress they experience as a result. However, there are also some reports that women in some cultures are less likely to be totally open about their symptoms. 

Psychological research has shown that how women think about menopause can influence their experience of symptoms. If menopause is seen as a time of loss, decline, or something to be feared, symptoms may feel more intense and distressing. However, if it is viewed as a time of freedom and personal growth, women may cope better with the transition. And, as our adrenal glands take over the production of oestrogen as we age, then the more stressed we are (about for example our age and symptoms or kids/parents etc), then the more likelihood we are to have symptoms.

Cognitive models suggest that the way women appraise their symptoms plays a crucial role in their impact. For example, a woman who experiences a hot flush but sees it as a temporary inconvenience may suffer less distress than someone who views it as a sign of losing control over her body.

So, instead of seeing menopause as a biological mistake, an end of life and our bodies as we know it, the Grandmother Hypothesis re-frames it as an adaptive advantage—one that strengthens families and societies. It suggests that living beyond reproductive years isn’t just a quirk of biology; it’s a superpower that has shaped our species with a shift into a new phase of life, rich with meaning, connection, and purpose.

What do you think?

I'd love to know your thoughts.

Becca