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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Early Menopause Signs Symptoms Learn about Early Menopause Signs Symptoms, and search for other issues and information about coping with modern menopause. Women's Issues :: Signs of Early Menopause Do you experience hot flashes and mood swings and have not rounded the tender age of 40? Menopause might not even be on your list of possible causes, but . Early Signs of Menopause, Menopause Signs and Symptoms You may have early signs of menopause even in your 30's or 40's, why you may be having menopause signs and symptoms, signs of early menopause natural RealAge Menopause Center -- Symptoms of Menopause and Treatment Menopause Signs and Symptoms · Early Signs of Menopause Premature menopause is when hormonal changes at the end of the female reproductive years occur Menopause: Signs and Symptoms of Menopause A look at when menopause starts, the common signs and symptoms and what to the ovaries or low levels of estrogen can also initiate early menopause. Hardin MD : Menopause Symptoms Last updated Thursday, Aug 30, 2007 early menopause symptoms, menopause early menopause signs symptoms, early signs of menopause, information on the BMJ BestTreatments :: Conditions :: Menopause :: What is it? This is often one of the first signs that your hormone levels are changing. Doctors say a woman has an early menopause when it happens before she is 40. signs of menopause, perimenopause symptoms, early menopause at BodyLogicMD specializes in helping women balance hormones using bioidentical hormones that eliminate the symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance, Managing Menopause - Signs and Symptoms Menopause, the signs and symptoms are explained. Symptoms of early menopause are basically the same as for natural menopause. Early Menopause Symptoms and Alternative Menopause Treatments Menopause symptoms are something everywoman will experience at some point can bring on problems or noticeable signs that the body is undergoing change. Menopause Signs and Menopause Symptoms Articles Learn about menopause signs, perimenopause weight gain, hormone imbalance, Early Menopause Signs. A check-up will determine whether anything is wrong. Early Menopause - Symptoms Early menopause (or premature menopause), Menopause before the age of 40 is information on menopause see Managing Menopause for. Signs and symptoms, Early Menopause Signs Article Early menopause signs and symptoms are both physical and emotional, and cover a broad spectrum of signals to let a woman know she has begun the menopause Premature Menopause Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment on Premature menopause is when menopause occurs before age 40. These symptoms are a sign that the ovaries are producing less estrogen. Early Menopause Description:, Personal accounts of experience with early menopause, signs and symptoms of menopause, the impact of menopause and support options while PRE Menopause Signs and Symptoms perimenopause All about the signs and symptoms of menopause and changes experienced during Early Menopause TreatmentMenopause 101 - What Are The Signs Of Menopause? Early Menopause Treatment Thousands of women from 15 to 44 experience premature early menopause every Sign Up Now! About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by SYMPTOMS Worst, this sign often shows up early in menopause. Like bone loss, which occurs rapidly in the first few years of menopause, collagen loss is most rapid at Early Signs of Menopause Early signs of menopause are clues to the onset of the symptoms of menopause in a relatively early time. The menopausal state is usually during a woman's |
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