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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Publications The average age is 51. Smoking can lead to early menopause. Some types of surgery can bring on Women may have different signs or symptoms at menopause. Menopause symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment on MedicineNet.com After six years, many of the women were experiencing hot flashes and irregular menstrual periods, two signs of approaching menopause. Symptoms of Menopause - WrongDiagnosis.com Other possible signs.Some women may experience headaches, memory problems, and joint and muscle stiffness or pain. (Source: excerpt from Menopause - Age InteliHealth: While most women in the United States go through menopause around the age of 51, a small number will experience menopause as early as age 40 or as late as PRE Menopause Signs and Symptoms perimenopause Many women begin experiencing symptoms of pre or perimenopause several years before menopause occurs. The age when the signs of premenopause occur varies Menopause Symptoms, What is it? When does it happen? Power Surge Menopause is considered premature if it occurs before the age of 40, or artificial if radiation Additional Reading: The 34 Signs/Symptoms of Menopause. Menopause The average age for menopause is 52. But menopause commonly happens There are many possible signs of menopause and each woman feels them differently. Menopause Doctors will usually diagnose the menopause from your symptoms and age alone. Doctors may also check your hormone F.S.H. levels. Menopause, health, signs, treatment -- RealAge Health Quiz Learn more about menopause and your treatment options, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Take the free RealAge Menopause Health Assessment for 34 menopause symptoms and signs to help you decide which treatment There are 34 menopause signs and symptoms typically listed and these 34 . Dry Skin, Age Spots: To diminish the affects of this menopause symptom, 34 Menopause Symptoms - all about each menopausal symptom. 34 menopause symptoms. Learn how to identify menopause and perimenopause symptoms. fail to work effectively, because of age, surgery or childbirth. New Treatment Reverses Symptoms Of Menopause Menopause Symptoms Relief They chose to study these effects on menopausal animals and humans because menopause is a classic example of aging, with very distinct age-related symptoms Menopause: Signs and Symptoms of Menopause A look at when menopause starts, the common signs and symptoms and what women can in younger women, or Premature Menopause (menopause before age 40). Know Menapause and Menapause Symptoms At menapause age or menopause age, the body reduces the production of estrogen to 40% or 60% of what it was. At the same time, since there's no longer Symptoms of Menopause Hot flashes occur sporadically and often start several years before other signs of menopause. They gradually decline in frequency and intensity as you age. Menopause - Age Page - Health Information This is mostly because of the passing years of age. Menopause is often referred to as "the big change" in a woman's life. Early signs of menopause are clues Early Signs of Menopause In some women it occurs as early as age 40. Menopause before age 40 is considered premature menopause and occurs in about 1% of all women. Menopause and its Symptoms These women, so used to asking questions and getting answers, are hitting that 45-55 age bracket when menopause usually occurs. At the turn of last century, |
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