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 ONLINE - HEART DISEASE THE HEART DISEASE GUIDE. Our Menopause Update will keep you informed about any new developments in the following on-going studies: Menopause and coronary heart disease - WebMD Quiz to assess your risk factors for heart disease. Menopause and Heart Disease - WebMD Menopause, diabetes and age can all be factors in Heart Disease in women. Managing Menopause - Heart Disease Menopause, cardiovascular disease is a disease of either the heart or major blood vessels (arteries) supplying the heart, brain or other parts of the body. Heart Palpitations in Perimenopause and Menopause An irregular heartbeat is a common problem in perimenopause and menopause. While often frightening, most heart arrhythmia is a benign symptom of hormonal Menopause 101 - What Happens To My Heart And Bones? Bone loss and heart disease are two often overlooked aspects of menopause. Learn how to lower your risk of bone loss and heart disease after menopause. Menopause Can Bring Increased Risk Of Heart Disease Menopause Can Bring Increased Risk Of Heart Disease. irregular heart beat, could it be pre menopause? >> Medical I am a 50 yr old woman. I still get my periods regularly although every other month they are more severe. I have had irregular heart beat for some time now. Menopause and Heart Disease Often, heart disease is considered to be a health risk mainly in men. Prior to menopause, women do enjoy a lower risk than men of heart disease and stroke, What You Need To Know About Post Menopause Heart Disease As women age and are post menopause heart disease risks increase. Cardiologists recommend that women of this age, especially if they haven't done so before, Menopause and Heart Disease Before menopause a woman's heart and blood vessels seem to have some protection due to her hormones. But when a woman experiences menopause, her levels of Heart Disease - Women, Menopause, and Heart Disease: Chest Discomfort Dr. Weinrauch explains the symptoms of menopause and heart disease, and how you know it's time to see your doctor. Heart Menopause Related Symptoms Heart menopause: Heart symptoms associated with menopause. One of most prevalent premenopausal symptoms is heart palpitations. Menopause relief Heart Disease and Menopause Advice on learning about risk factors and prevention of heart disease. Heart Palpitations in Menopause General description and overview of heart palpitations and treatment options for use during perimenopause. Menopause Forum - Heart Flutters And ? Menopause. Menopause Forum - Heart Flutters And ? Menopause., Menopause information, health forums, medical questions, medical information, medical symptoms, Menopause and Heart Stroke Before menopause, women have less risk of heart disease than men do. However, as women age, their risk of heart disease and stroke begins to rise and keeps Menopause Symptoms: Heart Palpitations A discussion of what heart palpitations are and why they affect menopausal women. MENOPAUSE Information: Heart Disease A look at heart disease and women. Outlines the different types of heart disease, treatment options as well as preventative measures women can take to |
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