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 |
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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 Signs of Menopause » Propeller Women ⓠIdentifying the Early Signs of Menopause aka Perimenopause The early signs of menopause also known as perimenopause can occur as long as ten years WomensHealthcareTopics.com, pregnancy week by week, endometriosis Provides information on women's health issues, signs of pregnancy, Afraid you might have early menopause? Having night sweats and hot flashes? SYMPTOMS Other Physical Signs You May Notice The following symptoms are less obvious and Contact Kathryn Petras or the Early Menopause message board moderators. BBC - h2g2 - The Menopause Some women are genetically predisposed to early menopause, and others may reach menopause early due to autoimmune disorders or other medical causes. Managing Menopause - Signs and Symptoms Menopause, the signs and symptoms are explained. Symptoms of early menopause are basically the same as for natural menopause. Early signs of menopause Some women may experience irregular periods. Their cycle may occur too shortly or too long. Early Menopause Description:, Personal accounts of experience with early menopause, signs and symptoms of menopause, the impact of menopause and support options while Early Signs of Menopause, Menopause Signs and Symptoms You may have early signs of menopause even in your 30's or 40's, why you may be having menopause signs and symptoms, signs of early menopause natural Early Signs of Menopause - Is There an Online Menopause Test? Early Signs of Menopause - Is There an Online Menopause Test? Early Signs Of Menopause Article Women will need to recognize the early signs of menopause so that they can begin the process of evaluating their physical condition. Early Menopause Signs Article Early menopause signs and symptoms are both physical and emotional, and cover a broad spectrum of signals to let a woman know she has begun the menopause Hardin MD : Menopause Symptoms Last updated Thursday, Aug 30, 2007 early menopause symptoms, menopause early menopause signs symptoms, early signs of menopause, information on the Early Menopause - Symptoms Early menopause (or premature menopause), Menopause before the age of 40 is information on menopause see Managing Menopause for. Signs and symptoms, Early Signs of Menopause Menopause and the early signs of menopause is just a part of life. The symptoms that follow are physiological changes that occur in the lives of every woman BMJ BestTreatments :: Conditions :: Menopause :: What is it? This is often one of the first signs that your hormone levels are changing. Doctors say a woman has an early menopause when it happens before she is 40. Early Signs of Menopause Early signs of menopause are clues to the onset of the symptoms of menopause in a relatively early time. The menopausal state is usually during a woman's PRE Menopause Signs and Symptoms perimenopause All about the signs and symptoms of menopause and changes experienced during Early Menopause TreatmentMenopause 101 - What Are The Signs Of Menopause? 35 Perimenopause Pre - Peri Menopause Menopausal Symptoms-Signs Perimenopause signs and symptoms - early menopause symptoms experienced in pre menopausal women - can be confusing. Learn the symptoms of perimenopause and |
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