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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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and contraception : Menopause It is very important to realise that HRT is not a method of contraception and if a woman's periods have not yet stopped when she starts HRT then she must Contraception Online Slides - hormonal+therapy, oral contraceptive As women approach menopause, anovulatory uterine bleeding is common because of women to use 2 effective methods of contraception simultaneously. Family Planning Queensland - Employment Archive Contraceptive Efficacy Rates (PDF) · Contraception: an Australian clinical practice handbook - FIRST EDITION 2006 (published by SH&FPA) Dr Paul P Fogarty - Contraception and the menopause Information, help and support on contraception and the menopause. As menopause approaches, needs change: but contraception is still As menopause approaches, needs change: but contraception is still important for sexually active older women from Network in Health provided free by Find Sex after the menopause Late pregnancy can and does happen, and for this reason it is important to get correct advice about contraception even beyond the menopause. ASRM: Infertility, Reproduction, Menopause, Andrology non-profit organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive medicine, including infertility, menopause, contraception, Managing Menopause - Contraception Menopause, until menopause is reached women are not totally protected from pregnancy, therefore contraception is still relevant. CKS: Contraception - In summary - Scenario: Contraceptive Scenario: Contraceptive prescribing to women approaching the menopause How long should contraception be continued at the menopause? Studies Examine Menopause Treatments, Oral Contraception To The following highlights recently released journal articles on women's health issues. Public Health. Contraception and Menopause | Family Planning of Chelan Douglas Contraception needs to be used until menopause. Contraception should continue to be used until a woman has not had a period or any bleeding for two years if Menopause Contraception The menopause does not mean that you suddenly become infertile. It is important that you continue to use contraceptives. IngentaConnect Contraception and the menopause Contraception and the menopause. Author: Pitkin J.1. Source: Maturitas, Volume 34, Supplement 1, January 2000 , pp. 29-36(8). Publisher: Elsevier How do I know I have reached the menopause if I am using the Contraception is necessary until the menopause. It is advised that contraception should continue to be used until you have not had a period or any bleeding Menopause and Contraception - DrDonnica.com - The First Name in I am a 51 year old woman who has not had a period in over a year. I am not on HRT. Is it necessary for my husband and I to use birth control to be sure that Sexuality and contraception when approaching menopause - Women's Advice for women in pre-menopause about the continuing need for contraception and special concerns they may have in selecting a method to use, from Women's Sex after the menopause So late pregnancy can and does happen, so it is important to think about contraception - even after the menopause. The recommended advice is: menopause (contraception during) - General Practice Notebook women aged over 40 years can be advised that combined hormonal contraception can be used unless there are co-existing diseases or risk factors Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices - MayoClinic.com Discuss with your doctor how you can determine whether menopause has occurred and what alternatives there are for contraception if you still need it. |
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