Study Finds Menopause Symptoms Can Be Predicted

The 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

35 symptom of perimenopause
Menopause
35 Symptoms of Menopause 35 Symptoms of Menopause Learn what menopause is, the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and the treatments for menopause

Perimenopause treatment cause of Perimenopause symptoms of
perimenopause symptoms. Perimenopause can begin as early as age 35 and can last for a few months or for several years. The length of perimenopause cannot be

Discovery Health :: Solutions for Seven Symptoms of Perimenopause
Get solutions for seven common perimenopausal symptoms from three leading women's has only 20 to 40 mg of isoflavones; one-half cup of tofu has 35 mg.

The Influence of Age on Symptoms of Perimenopause
anticipatory guidance for perimenopausal women. should begin with women in their 30s. With many. symptoms occurring as early as age 35, recognition

The influence of age on symptoms of perimenopause.
With many symptoms occurring as early as age 35, recognition of symptoms can greatly reduce the discomfort and fears that women experience during the

symptoms perimenopause symptoms
35 Symptoms of Menopause AOL position 3 This list of common symptoms that occur during perimenopause and menopause was developed from the real-life

Peri Menopause Symptoms Perimenopause
Offers information about peri menopause symptoms and perimenopause treatment Select Age, Less than 35, 36 - 50, 50 or Older. When do your symptoms most

Menopause Discussions at DailyStrength: The 35 symptoms of menopause
I think I have all 35 symptoms. I posted the list on my refrig so my husband and test done because of the symptoms I have with being perimenopausal.

Menopause Symptoms Page..hot flashes, night sweats, itching
35 common symptoms that might relate to menopause, provided by thousands of women. 35 Possible Symptoms of Menopause (or peri-menopause)

Amazon.com: Could It BePerimenopause?: How Women 35-50 Can
Perimenopause?: How Women 35-50 Can Overcome Forgetfulness, Mood Swings, not all doctors recognize perimenopause or know how to treat its symptoms,

Peri Menopause and the 34 Menopause Symptoms?
sex during menopause delayed menopause perimenopause weight gain 35 symptoms of menopause anti aging hormone replacement therapy post menopause symptoms

Premenstrual Symptoms and Perimenopausal Depression -- Richards et
In the 35 perimenopausal women who were asymptomatic comparison subjects, three women (9%) reported premenstrual symptoms, but none of these met the

Premenstrual Symptoms and Perimenopausal Depression
In the 35 perimenopausal women who were asymptom-. atic comparison subjects, three women (9%) reported pre-. menstrual symptoms, but none of these met the

Pregnancy During Perimenopause
Find out whether pregnancy is or isn't still possible, and why, during perimenopause. Learn if birth control is necessary when perimenopausal symptoms are

Menopause and Peri Menopause Symptoms:hot flashes, night sweats
35 Possible Symptoms Associated with various Stages of Menopause. If you have two or more of the following symptoms, it COULD be the onset of peri-menopause

35 Symptoms of Menopause
The 35 Symptoms of Menopause. This list of common symptoms that occur during perimenopause and menopause was developed from the real-life experiences of

Perimenopause (premenopause)
Either way, many women experience more symptoms during perimenopause than after menopause. Because this often happens at an age between 35 and 45,

The 35 Symptoms perimenopause and menopause
The 35 Symptoms perimenopause and menopause. The 35 Symptoms Click HERE for the credits to the women who developed this list of common symptoms that occur

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


35 symptom of perimenopause
about the menopause
female menopause
menopause alternative remedy
chicago menopause musical