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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Perimenopause & Thyroid PerimenopauseSupport.com is the first site completely devoted to helping women through Perimenopause. Get the latest research, support, information, Hotflash! News - Common Perimenopause Signs and Symptoms It is important to establish the cause of these symptoms as definitely related to perimenopause or menopause. Thyroid diseases, as well as a number of other Q & A: Premature Menopause Answers to your most frequently asked questions FAQs about perimenopause Most common causes of fatigue, assuming thyroid and estrogen levels are ok, is: How a natural approach helped her perimenopause symptoms and She did well on Synthroid for years - until she entered perimenopause. âœMy thyroid medication has to be decreased! My doctor keeps calling in lower Learn about hypothyroidism and low thyroid function in women I would also encourage you to read our sections on perimenopause and menopause and emotional health as these subjects are so intertwined with thyroid health The Hormone Survival Guide for Perimenopause Low Thyroid Is a Common Complaint Undiagnosed, Untreated Low Thyroid Is Bad News Why Is Low Thyroid So Often Undiagnosed? Low Thyroid in Perimenopause Dr. Hotze » Blog Archive » The Menopause/Thyroid Connection However, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) plays no favorites. Itâ™s also affecting the lives of younger women starting perimenopause, and men too, For help with perimenopause and menopause thyroid problems and Thyroid problems are quite common during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years. The physical foundation of the menopause experience rests on the How to lose perimenopause weight gain through diet, weight loss Women in perimenopause should also not rule out thyroid dysfunctions when trying to loss perimenopause weight gain. Hormone imbalances and estrogen Perimenopause Or is it the perimenopause ? Can you still get pregnant? What are your treatment options? Do you need hormones or Prozac or just vitamin E? TSH level and perimenopause - Thyroid - MedHelp TSH level and perimenopause. Answered by. Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound perimenopause or thyroid - Menopause - MedHelp This is a discussion on MedHelp about perimenopause or thyroid. Community members of MedHelp provide help, support, guidance and discussion around the topic The Thyroid Blog: Perimenopause / Menopause Many readers write to me asking about saliva and blood spot testing for thyroid and other hormones, and why it may be of interest to some patients and Amazon.com: thyroid and perimenopause A community about thyroid and perimenopause. Tag and discover new products. Share your images and discuss your questions with thyroid and perimenopause Thyroid or Perimenopause? Symptoms that could indicate a thyroid problem, such as excessive sweating and low energy, could also indicate the beginning of menopause. Symptoms of Menopause: Could Your Thyroid Be the Cause? ; Seattle The symptoms of hypothyroidism may become more pronounced due to the hormonal changes occurring during perimenopause. Furthermore, undiagnosed thyroid Thyroid Disease and Menopause / Thyroid Disease Information Source Thyroid abnormalities can create menstrual cycle problems, even infertility, in younger women; in perimenopausal women these problems are often exacerbated. |
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