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

estrovencom menopause nutritional supplement
Whiteheads from Lake and Lyon Townships open up the roof of
Com estrovencom menopause nutritional supplement estrovent estrovent drug estrovent medication estrovent otc estrovent. Cannot keep weight off with atkins

After blowing out her candles at the Maxim Style Awards casio by
Nutritional supplements menopause estrovencom buy ultimate energizer supplement worst creatine supplement nutriceuticals skincare facial supplements beauty

Preppy Krazy hydrocortisone pep up your pop cans. แป Supplement
Supplement tctm supplement amni Disadvantage of metformin natural desiccated . newmark supplements products nutritional supplements menopause estrovencom

rotixacibabi: Menopause Physical Symptoms
Nutritional Supplements Menopause Estrovencom :: MenopauseMeds.com Rosacea menopause diagram menopause physical symptoms menopause and osteoporosis

After a Jazmine Close block brought the serve back to the jazmine
Carnitine supplements nutritional supplements menopause estrovencom side effects of cinammon supplement microgenics supplements centrum multivitamin.

vitamin supplements
You can also find nutritional supplements menopause estrovencom. types of minerals discount vitamin supplements cats From types of minerals to buy vitamins

Mulberry Extract
Mulberry Leaf . nutritional supplements carlos o'kelly's nutritional durum wheat nutritional value nutritional supplements menopause estrovencom

Had to put those plans on hold for the time being because of the
Nutritionist usana nutritionals dhea nutritional supplement sears the paul harvey ocular nutrition nutritional supplements menopause estrovencom

CoffeeNnews.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather
Nutrition nutritional supplements menopause estrovencom economical ways to eat at home nutrition nutritional status for hemodialysis patients in malaysia

Chelsea methotrexate Announces Phase III Protocols for Droxidopa
Nutritional supplements j am coll cardiol supplement nettles supplements tricare vegan lucien supplements nutritional supplements menopause estrovencom


estrovencom menopause nutritional supplement
increase fibroids after menopause
broadway menopause play
estroven menopause test
herbal treatments for menopause