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 Research studies demonstrate that perimenopausal women show varying patterns of hormonal fluctuations. No two women will experience perimenopause in the JAMA -- Is This Woman Perimenopausal?, February 19, 2003, Bastian The question "Is this woman perimenopausal?" is important for clinicians because patients ask and want to know if they are undergoing a physical and PRE Menopause Signs and Symptoms perimenopause Many women begin experiencing symptoms of pre or perimenopause several years before Some women experience the symptoms of perimenopause in their early 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 Discovery Health :: Solutions for Seven Symptoms of Perimenopause 2 percent natural progesterone skin cream helps 85 percent of perimenopausal women; apply l tsp. daily to skin. Soy foods like soy milk and tofu (aim for Oral Contraceptives for Perimenopausal Women While the main goal of using birth control pills for perimenopausal women is to get rid of certain perimenopausal symptoms, women using these pills can also The Facts About Perimenopause and Menopause Dr. Christiane Northrup, M.D., explains that many perimenopausal women describe it as "Having our foot on the gas and not enough on the brake." Perimenopause Women normally go through perimenopause between ages 45 and 55, but some women start perimenopause earlier, even in their 30s. When perimenopause starts Amazon.com: Could It BePerimenopause?: How Women 35-50 Can Amazon.com: Could It BePerimenopause?: How Women 35-50 Can Overcome Forgetfulness, Mood Swings, Insomnia, Weight Gain, Sexual Dysfunction and Other Amazon.com: Perimenopause 2 Ed: Changes in Women's Health After 35 Amazon.com: Perimenopause 2 Ed: Changes in Women's Health After 35: Books: L. Darlene, MD Lanka,James E. Huston,Darlene Lanka,Lois Jovanovic by L. Darlene, Very-Low-Dose Birth Control Pills for Perimenopausal Women Information about very-low-dose birth control pills for perimenopausal women from the American Academy of Family Physicians. Low sex drive in women during perimenopause and menopause Low sex drive or libido is a common problem for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. The loss of sexual desire is usually just one of several Is This Perimenopause? Mood changes including depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings are experienced by a significant number of perimenopausal women. BioMed Central | Full text | Perimenopausal contraception in Among the perimenopausal women who participated, the IUD was the most popular Most perimenopausal Turkish women are still using traditional methods and besthealthoptions.com » Treatment of choice for women entering In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved low-dose oral contraceptives as a treatment for perimenopause in women under the age of 55. Women's Health Care During the Perimenopause Pharmacists should be prepared to provide education about the perimenopause andcounsel women on the benefits and risks of various pharmacologic and Perimenopause | CeMCOR During perimenopause women are often most engaged in work or vocation or may be just getting back to full time work after childcare years. Contraception Online Slides - perimenopause, contraception During late perimenopause, women may experience two or more skipped cycles and an Although less common than other symptoms, perimenopausal women may Life Cycle and Depression: Perimenopause Victorians called them "women of a certain age" when referring to perimenopausal women. Now a days, we know a little more about the perimenopausal years, |
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