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

andropause man menopause
Andropause (male menopause) - an endocrinologist discusses the
This been referred to as male menopause or Andropause. If a man has a permanent decline in testosterone production, it should be treated.

Le Magazine, October 2003: Male Menopause
LE Magazine October 2003 - Male Menopause: Avoiding andropause with testosterone 1 However, just because a man in mid-life does not feel the dramatic

"Andropause Mystery: Unraveling Truths about the Male Menopause
"Andropause Mystery: Unraveling Truths about the Male Menopause", the enlightenment of men's. Andropause is a stage in man's life when there is a noticeable

Men's Issues :: Andropause: Exploring Male Menopause and Mid-Life
Andropause: Exploring Male Menopause and Mid-Life Crisis usually begins to naturally diminish after a man reaches the age of 40. Symptoms of andropause

The Andropause Mystery: Unraveling The Truths About Male Menopause
A. Men are not spared from Menopause. The Andropause is the time in a man's life when the hormones naturally decline. It can be defined as "a change of life

Male Menopause - Andropause - and Female Menopause are covered in
What are the signs a man may be experiencing male menopause/andropause? Having an undeniable urge to buy a red convertible Corvette, or a Porsche -- of any

Male Menopause : Andropause : Discovery Health
Did you know that some men suffer from andropause, the male version of menopause? However, if that man has other symptoms of male menopause such as loss

Guide Male Man Menopause Surviving Woman 2
Andropause Mystery, Unraveling the Truth about Male Menopause and Conquering its Symptoms When a man enters the age of forty, he begins to experience the

man-o-pause
If you've been wondering "What is a man's menopause,? Like women's menopause, andropause in men is characterized by various symptoms.

signs of andropause, the male menopause, low testosterone at
Treating Hormonal Imbalance, The Male Menopause: Andropause. In treating a man with a hormonal imbalance including male menopause symptoms,

Male Menopause: Devastating Or Beneficial?
A man goes through some crucial changes as he embarks on this andropause period. Dealing with male menopause or andropause all depends on the person,

Vital Male Menopause Symptoms & Information
And yes, low testosterone is related to a man and menopause. Another term that is often used menopause in a man is andropause, so named because these

Guide Male Man Menopause Surviving Woman 2
Andropause Male Menopause Mystery Truth Unraveling 2. Beat Male Manhood Maximising Menopause 1. Condition Male Menopause More Symptom 2. Guide Male Man

Male Menopause Symptoms - Andropause Treatment - Symptoms of Low
Make menopause (andropause) symptoms are caused by a decline in hormones. For men those hormones are testosterone, thyroid, human growth hormone (HGH) and

Andropause - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Unlike menopause, andropause does not necessarily cause a man's reproductive system to stop working altogether in mid-life but most will experience bouts of

Man Menopause at wego health
If you are a man and think you may be going through menopause, take this self test and see if you fit the bill for andropause. - Expert: Usha Srinivasan

Andropause Male Menopause
The Andropause is the time in a man's life when the hormones naturally start The Andropause is a gradual process and not exactly the same as menopause.

ANDROLOGY :The truth behind, and treatment for Male Menopause-Male
Andropause (Male Menopause) - Does it really exist ? There is no doubt that a man's sexuality changes with advancing age.

What About Man Menopause?
Maximizing Your Vitality and Potency This informative book deals with man menopause and related health issues that concern men. "Andropause" and "men'pause"


andropause man menopause
menopause and alcohol
herbal supplement for menopause
bleeding menopause ultrasound
ert menopause only