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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Healthy Viewpoints Perimenopause is the gradual transition into menopause when periods stop completely. For most women approaching menopause, changes in menstrual bleeding are IngentaConnect Treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding in the Treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding in the perimenopause: The effects of adding combined estradiol/norethisterone acetate therapy to goserelin Family Practice Recertification: How should I treat this Abnormal perimenopausal bleeding is generally irregular bleeding or periods caused by oligo-ovulation or anovulation. This is also called dysfunctional BMJ BestTreatments :: Conditions :: Menopause :: What is it? All of these changes in bleeding patterns are normal during the perimenopause, and they're nothing to worry about. But you should talk to your doctor if you Perimenopausal Bleeding - What's Normal? Perimenopausal Bleeding - What's Normal? by Paul D. Indman, MD How is abnormal uterine bleeding in menopause or perimenopause evaluated? PERIMENOPAUSAL Bleeding E-book What causes changes in perimenopausal bleeding and what you can do about it. What can I do about irregular bleeding during perimenopause What can I do about irregular bleeding during perimenopause? from Harvard Womens Health Watch in Health provided by Find Articles. Bleeding During Perimenopause - Women's Health Zone Irregular periods are common and normal during perimenopause, but not all changes in bleeding are from perimenopause or menopause. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding - October 1, 1999 - American Academy of Algorithm for the diagnostic evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal patients. (CBC = complete blood count; ß-HCG = beta human chorionic UpToDate Patient information: Abnormal uterine bleeding Women in perimenopause are also at risk for other conditions that cause abnormal bleeding, including cancer, infection, and bodywide illnesses. prolonged menstral bleeding perimenopause >> Medical Questions Hello! I am 47 years old woman and for the last 4 months I have experienced prolonged menstrual bleeding, with occasional cramping. Is Heavy, Irregular Bleeding, or Bleeding After Sex Normal During A look at irregular bleeding during perimenopause. Learn what causes abnormal bleeding during perimenopause. Perimenopause Is Heavy, Irregular Bleeding, or Bleeding After Sex Normal During Perimenopause? A look at irregular bleeding during perimenopause. Learn more about prolonged and heavy perimenopausal bleeding - I01 Woman's Diagnostic Cyber article about prolonged and heavy perimenopausal menstrual bleeding - metrorrhagia and menorrhagia. Reproductive Health Information--Menopause and Related Midlife If your health care provider decides that your perimenopausal bleeding is abnormal, there are several procedures that can determine the cause. Irregular periods - understanding the menstrual cycle Alternatively, she may have heavy episodes of bleeding every two to three months. Click here to learn more about irregular periods in perimenopause. Perimenopausal and menopausal bleeding PERIMENOPAUSAL AND MENOPAUSAL BLEEDING: Dr. Indman explains what's normal, rapid diagnosis, and treatment alternatives for abnormal menopausal bleeding. |
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