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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Topic: Hormone Variability Menopausal transition - Usually means the period of time before menopause when women experience changes in their bleeding and spotting. Perimenopause WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 2000: Fwd: Re: Perimenopause and >>Subject: Perimenopause and Spotting >> >>I will be 45 years of age on August 31st. Last month I noticed a change >>in my bleeding. Get Ready: The Signs of Perimenopause There may be spotting between periods. Women who have had problems with Decreased sexual function is indicated by 30% of women during perimenopause. Amazon.com: Could It BePerimenopause?: How Women 35-50 Can making estrogen, actual menopause, midcycle spotting, perimenopausal symptoms, unopposed estrogen, subtle symptoms, endometrial cavity, yam root Irregular periods in perimenopause It started with a lot of spotting that would start to develop into an actual Again I attributed this to perimenopause and started reading every book on Vitamins, nutritional supplements and information to support the Perimenopause: Mitamins' unique vitamin and nutritional supplement formulas naturally aid spotting during perimenopause · supplements for perimenopause Is spotting or shorter periods symptoms of perimenopause? Been I am new here and have no idea what i am doing or where to find these answers! Perimenopause Spotting / Fatigue / Bleeding - Details - Detail information for: Perimenopause Spotting / Fatigue / Bleeding Title:, Perimenopause Spotting / Fatigue / Bleeding - http://www.perimenopause.ws Perimenopausal Spotting in a Heavy Smoker - DrDonnica.com - The I have had a problem for a while with my period. It lasts for 5 days, then lingers around spotting for 3 to 5 days more. What is going on? Spotting - Perimenopause or Other? - Menopause - MedHelp This is a discussion on MedHelp about Spotting - Perimenopause or Other?. Community members of MedHelp provide help, support, guidance and discussion around Perimenopause & Menopause Menopause & Perimenopause. Perimenopause & Menopause. messages posted βΆ messages today. The menopause is something all women face sooner or later and Irregular Menstrual Periods in Perimenopause and Menopause Irregular periods are a common symptom of perimenopause, the time before menopause itself. Frustrated by spotting, heavy, or irregular bleeding? progesterone cream for perimenopause, perimenopause missed periods Perimenopause symptoms include fatigue, headaches, irritability, . There have been reports of incidental spotting, which may be associated with Hotflash! - FAQ - Why are some periods heavy and some light? Another consideration about spotting during perimenopause and menopause involves the bones. Studies have indicated that women of reproductive age who don't Perimenopause and Menopause on MedicineNet.com Sometimes you can have endometrial polyps that cause the spotting. During this entire perimenopausal transition all kinds of things can happen because you Spotting - WrongDiagnosis.com List of 21 disease causes of Spotting, patient stories, diagnostic guides, full text online books about Spotting. Diagnostic checklist, medical tests, OBGYN.net Menopause & Perimenopause Ask The Expert Spotting after intercourse needs further investigation. What are the pregnancy signs? Breast tenderness? That can occur in perimenopause especially with MenopauseRx - The Perimenopause Explained These changes in cycle may lead to heavier flow in the early perimenopause, followed by a lighter flow and occasional spotting in the later perimenopause. Menopause & Perimenopause Ask The Expert I am 55 & beginning perimenopause (according to blood tests my gynecol. took). A: Intermenstrual bleeding or spotting are signals for further analysis |
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