Study Finds Menopause Symptoms Can Be Predicted

The 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 symptom treatment venice
Menopause Message Boards and Menopause Forums -- Power Surge
Venice, FL. Born Jan-10-1961. Interests. Gardening, Cooking, Computers . A new, hormone-free treatment for women who suffer menopause symptoms is on the

kegel exerciser / kegel muscles
807 South Venice Blvd Venice, Florida 34293. Contact Us:. Call Toll Free (888) 918-9489 sexual.dysfunction.symptom · sexual.dysfunction.treatment

WWSB ABC 7 Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, North Port
but often poorly understood. See how much you know about the cause and treatment of this widespread disease. Exercise Eases Some Menopause Symptoms

WWSB ABC 7 Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, North Port
Bio-magnetic treatment involves the use of a device to apply a low-voltage, Studies of menopause symptoms and magnets have all been undertaken,

Menopause and quality of life
Treatment of menopause-associated problems. implies either treatment of vasomotor or atrophic. symptoms or prevention of induced risk. The

Menopause Information/Baby Boomer Women Resources
Menopause Health Center - A New Treatment for Menopause Symptoms The Baby Boomer's Venice - Why travel to Venice? Because it's the perfect European

Cost Of Washington State Plan To Insure All Children Higher Than
Some clinics, such as the Venice Family Clinic in Los Angeles County, Calif., ASTHMA TREATMENT AND SYMPTOMS OVARIAN CANCER SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

New York Is Top Vacation Travel Destination For Doctors Jobs
ASTHMA TREATMENT AND SYMPTOMS OVARIAN CANCER SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT · PAIN RELIEF · PARENTING · PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH INSURANCE · PERFUME AND FRAGRANCE

Menopause - Fulltext: Volume 12(6) November/December 2005 p 708
Participant characteristics. Treatment compliance. Vasomotor symptoms .. FL; Douglas Schumacher, MD, Columbus, OH; Robert Semo, MD, Venice, FL;

Gastroenterology Doctors in Venice, Florida
ADHD Treatments | Allergy Treatments | Alzheimer's Treatment | Anxiety Symptoms Treatments | Menopause Symptoms | Migraine Symptoms | Obesity Treatments

Oncology (Cancer) Doctors in Florida
Our free online communities make it easy to connect with others who share similar health and lifestyle concerns. Visit today Symptom Checker

TodayMD Find Chiropractor chiropractors Venice FL Florida
Search through our directory of Chiropractor chiropractors in Venice Florida (FL). + Finding the Best Treatment for Menopause Symptoms

Study of the Efficacy of ESTRATEST^ H.S. Tablets in Relieving
Menopause Symptoms · Menopause Treatment · Menopause Support Site 70, Venice, Florida, United States. Site 73, Ft. Myers, Florida, United States

Menopause Message Boards and Menopause Forums -- Power Surge
From: Venice, FL Member No.: 18848. Hi Everyone, A new, hormone-free treatment for women who suffer menopause symptoms is on the horizon.

JAMA -- Paroxetine Controlled Release in the Treatment of
Vasomotor Symptoms Obstet Gynecol 2004;104:106S-117S. FULL TEXT. Nonestrogen Treatment Modalities for Vasomotor Symptoms Associated with Menopause

Elixir News | Experts | Pacifica Women's Health - Los Angeles
Lottor's treatment program always begins with dietary modifications to make sure all Some foods even exacerbate the symptoms accompanying menopause.

Restoration Health
Balancing your neurotransmitters can give you more energy, alleviate depression and anxiety, and relieve PMS and Menopause symptoms.

Mental Health on Squidoo
We should be aware of the diagnosis and the treatment available. Could Be The Most Vital 34 Menopause Symptoms Source You'll Ever Read: Menopause is a

ABC News: Excerpt: 'The Family That Couldn't Sleep'
The disease strikes in middle age, with symptoms including sweating, impotence and the sudden onset of menopause. 15 months after the symptoms appear,


menopause symptom treatment venice
testosterone menopause
menopause treatment natural
menopause theater denver
onset of menopause