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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Getting Pregnant and Common Fertility Problems: Premature Ovarian Premature or early menopause occurs before the age of 40 years. This may be brought on by medical treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery. Menopause - premature (early) menopause - Better Health Channel. Information about a research program at the National Institutes of Health. The program provides a complete evaluation at no cost to women with premature Premature Ovarian Failure - Home Synonyms and related keywords: ovaries, reproductive organs, premature ovarian failure, primary ovarian failure, premature menopause, primary ovarian Premature Ovarian Failure Registered UK charity organization supporting those affected by premature menopause. Information regarding menopause stages and treatments is available. Welcome To The Daisy Network Early menopause, premature menopause and/or premature ovarian failure are Premature menopause is defined as the onset of menopause before the age of 45. What Is Menopause? Symptoms of premature menopause are generally the same as regular menopause, except that the sufferer usually experiences night sweats and physical and Premature menopause - WebMD Advice for women who think they're going through an early menopause. BBC - Health - Ask the doctor - Menopause - premature Because of the nature of early or premature menopause the woman will experience another level of emotional reaction to her situation than someone who comes Early Menopause - Guide to Premature & Early Menopause Better called Áœpremature ovarian failureÁ« (a term many patients with this condition prefer) or ÁœPOFÁ«, this is menopause which occurs for any reason before Premature Menopause: When Á˜The ChangeÁ™ Comes Too Early - DrDonnica The most common misperception is that POF (premature ovarian failure) just isnÁ™ta big deal. Upon hearing of this condition, many who are not affected react Premature Menopause Myths - DrDonnica.com - The First Name in Although POF is often used interchangeably with premature menopause, the two conditions are not exactly the same. Unlike menopause, POF does not result in Premature Ovarian Failure: American Pregnancy Association Information and support for women with premature ovarian failure (POF, also called premature or early menopause), an endocrine disorder affecting women The International Premature Ovarian Failure Association Health care providers used to call this condition premature menopause, but premature ovarian failure is actually much different than menopause. Premature Ovarian Failure, Surgical or Medical Menopause Premature menopause is when menopause occurs before age 40. Symptoms include night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, decreased sex drive. Premature Menopause Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment on For women going through early menopause or premature ovarian failure (POF) whether naturally, surgically or due to cancer treatments. Early Menopause.com This happens because, in the initial phases of premature menopause, your hormones are erratic -- and your periods are reacting to this instability. SYMPTOMS Premature ovarian failure (POF) is when a woman's ovaries stop working before she is 40. POF used to be called premature menopause. MedlinePlus: Premature Ovarian Failure Premature ovarian syndrome can affect a womans fertility. |
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