Study Finds Menopause Symptoms Can Be PredictedThe number of eggs left in a woman's ovaries are like the grains of sand in an hourglass, ticking away the hours on her biological clock.Researchers now say they may be able to predict when that clock will wind down. And while doctors can't actually count the number of eggs in an ovary, they can measure ovarian volume. British researchers say there's a direct correlation between the two, and by measuring ovarian volume with transvaginal ultrasound, doctors should be able to predict when menopause will set in and how many fertile years a woman has left. According to the study authors, this information will revolutionize the care of women looking for assisted reproductive technologies, including those who were treated for childhood cancers as well as women who want to put off starting a family for whatever reason. Although information still needs to be validated in clinical studies, its benefit is most likely to start with women who are being treated for cancer and women attending fertility clinics, said Tom Kelsey, co-author of the study appearing June 17 in the journal Human Reproduction. "If women looking for some sort of assisted conception and their physicians know that they've got a long time till menopause, then you could plan for a range of treatments," said Kelsey, who is a senior research fellow at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. "If you knew menopause was likely in four to five years, you'd plan a different set of IVF [in vitro fertilization] treatments." Others reiterate, however, that the findings should be treated with caution. "Should a young woman who is 30 years old go for a test to figure out whether she's got three, five or 10 years left on her fertility? Should she make career decisions and life decisions? Are these data good enough to make those determinations?" asked Dr. Alan Copperman, director of reproductive medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "The answer is obviously no to all of those questions. The predictive value of this test is not good enough to go and tell someone to change their life." According to the article, eggs form in a female's ovary while she is still in the womb, peaking at several million about halfway through gestation and then starting a continuous decline. At birth, there are several hundred thousand and, when menstruation begins, about 300,000. At about age 37, a woman has about 25,000 eggs left, and at menopause only about 1,000. The time at which menopause sets in is widely believed to be based on the number of eggs reaching a critically low threshold. The authors of this study measured ovarian volume with transvaginal ultrasound, then looked at the relationship between ovarian volume -- ovaries shrink as a woman ages -- and number of eggs. They then applied mathematical and computer models to predict menopause. The study authors are negotiating with a medical school to set up clinical trials. The idea would be to follow women to see if their predictions were indeed correct. While these authors have come up with a tool to potentially help women plan their lives, a second study in the same issue of Human Reproduction warned that women might not want to leave it too late. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) could not be relied upon to fully compensate for lack of natural fertility after the age of 35, the article stated. The authors used a computer simulation model to determine that the overall success rate of assisted reproductive technology would be 30 percent for those attempting to get pregnant from age 30, 24 percent for those trying from age 35, and 17 percent from age 40. SOURCES: Tom Kelsey, Ph.D., senior research fellow, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland; Alan Copperman, M.D., director, reproductive medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York; June 17, 2004, Human Reproduction |
| menopause early |
|
Early Menopause - Home Early menopause (or premature menopause), Menopause before the age of 40 is defined as early menopause. Early Menopause Symptoms and Alternative Menopause Treatments Menopause symptoms are something everywoman will experience at some point - but what are the best natural and alternative treatments for menopause and do Early Menopause Links to information on early, or premature, menopause. Menopause - premature (early) menopause - Better Health Channel. Premature or early menopause occurs before the age of 40 years. This may be brought on by medical treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery. Menopause To Health Symptoms of menopause can vary. Some women go through an early menopause, and this is likely to lead to a lot of symptoms. And sudden menopause due to Menopause symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment on MedicineNet.com Perimenopause, often accompanied by irregularities in the menstrual cycle along with the typical symptoms of early menopause, can begin up to 10 years prior Early Menopause - Guide to Premature & Early Menopause Early or sudden menopause is common and usually very traumatic for the woman and her family. Early menopause can be brought on by or be due to an autoimmune BBC - Health - Ask the doctor - Menopause - premature Advice for women who think they're going through an early menopause. When the menopause starts this early, it's often known as a premature menopause and Childhood Cancer Survivors and Early Menopause - National Cancer When girls who survive cancer grow up, they are 13 times more likely to experience menopause before age 40 than other women, according to the July 5, 2006, What Is Menopause? Early menopause, premature menopause and/or premature ovarian failure are terms that are often used to describe the same condition, whatever the cause. Premature menopause - WebMD Symptoms of premature menopause are generally the same as regular menopause Hormone Therapy: Benefits of Starting Early · Calcium/Vitamin D Slow Midlife Early Menopause Remedy - A comprehensive guide to early menopause It is a natural menopause and early menopause treatment that can effectively solve the problem of menopause and avoid health risks of synthetic hormones at Early Menopause UK An online support website offering help & advice. Created by women for women who suffer from the Early menopause. Early Menopause Treatment Thousands of women from 15 to 44 experience premature early menopause every year and experience the dramatic effect of sudden estrogen crash. Early Menopause, Early Menopause Symptoms Early Menopause Guidebook â“ The North American Menopause Society offers an early menopause guidebook with information about early menopause symptoms, Early Menopause, Premature Menopause Early menopause â“ The North American Menopause Society, devoted to promoting women's health through understanding of early menopause symptoms, Early Menopause.com For women going through early menopause or premature ovarian failure (POF) whether naturally, surgically or due to cancer treatments. SYMPTOMS Worst, this sign often shows up early in menopause. Like bone loss, which occurs rapidly in the first few years of menopause, collagen loss is most rapid at Menopause: Early Menopause and Early Menopause Symptoms Explains the difference between early and premature menopause. Also discusses causes for early menopause and what women can do about it. |
| menopause early |
|
menopause psychiatric problems the menopause diet menopause post treatment reverse menopause |