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 |
| about menopause |
|
Amazon.com: 100 Questions & Answers About Menopause (100 Questions Just ask a woman about menopause. The Early Show contributor Mary Lou Quinlan wanted to find out about the ease with which women these days are talking Just Ask A Woman . . . About Menopause, Mary Lou Quinlan Says The term ÁœmenopauseÁ« means cessation of menstruation during the time of the climacteric. It is also sometimes called "change of life", or "climacteric". Health 24 - Menopause, About Menopause Welcome to My Menopause Community, your #1 menopause information source. This is where you learn more about menopause and discuss menopause with other Amazon.com: 150 Most-Asked Questions About Menopause: What Women Amazon.com: 100 Questions & Answers About Menopause (100 Questions & Answers about . . .): Books: Ivy M. Alexander,Karla A. Knight by Ivy M. Alexander,Karla Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause - Our Bodies Ourselves Amazon.com: 150 Most-Asked Questions About Menopause: What Women Really Want to Know: Books: Ruth S. Jacobowitz by Ruth S. Jacobowitz. Publications Is this what menopause is like? What Menopause Symptom Is The Worst? This is a poll. Jul-27. 27. Question about Menopause Treatments Menopause health information on menopause and midlife; a fact sheet about the book, the introduction, table of contents, and a list of contributors and bios Menopause Symptoms Relief from Menozac Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and mood changes. Menopause symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment on MedicineNet.com Medical information about Menopause therapies, symptoms and treatment. Menopause: Menopausal Health and Medical Information Produced by Postmenopause follows menopause and lasts the rest of your life. Some types of surgery can bring on menopause. For example, removing your uterus Menopause - Metamorphosis: Alternative Approaches, Home Remedies Offers solutions for body, mind, and spirit. Includes solutions for thyroid health, fibromyalgia, hairy problems, male menopause, herbs for women taking Menopause - Perimenopause - Surgical Menopause Menopause occurs when menstruation ceases for a period of one year; the ten to fifteen years prior to menopause are called perimenopause. 10 Myths Men Believe About Menopause -- ThirdAge ThirdAge Health presents a he says/she says menopause factsheet. Menopause, NAMS Á“ Menopause Information Menozac is a botanical alternative medicine formulation which contains a blend of all natural herbal extracts developed to ease the transition and provide Menopause - Women's Health Queensland Wide The experience of menopause varies widely from woman to woman and from culture to culture. For some women, menopause is associated with a wide range of Menopause - MayoClinic.com Menopause Á” Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment options and self-care measures. Menopause Matters, menopausal symptoms, remedies, advice Menopause and treatment options. An independent, clinician-led site aiming to provide accurate information about the menopause. |
| about menopause |
|
herbal remedy for menopause diet for post menopause dhea menopause after menopause symptoms |