Evolution of the human menopause

Evolution of the human menopause Evolution of the human menopause Daryl P. Shanley and Thomas B.L. Kirkwood* Summary Menopause is an evolutionary puzzle since an early end to reproduction seems contrary to maximising Darwinian fitness. Several theories have been proposed to explain why menopause might have evolved, all based on un- usual aspects of the human life history. One theory is that menopause follows from the extreme altriciality of human babies, coupled with the difficulty in giving