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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Symptoms of Menopause, Early Menopause Symptoms Menopause Symptoms - Reliable information on the symptoms of menopause, early menopause, and perimenopause from the North American Menopause Society. Early Menopause - Symptoms Early menopause (or premature menopause), Menopause before the age of 40 is termed early menopause. It may occur spontaneously as a result of early failure Early Signs of Menopause Learn about Early Signs of Menopause, and search for other issues and information about coping with modern menopause. Menopause symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment on MedicineNet.com In this case, there is no perimenopause, and after surgery, a woman will generally experience the signs and symptoms of menopause. BMJ BestTreatments :: Conditions :: Menopause :: What is it? Key points for women going through the menopause Your periods What happens when you reach the menopause The first signs of the menopause Menopause Symptoms and Support The first sign that menopause is approaching is "lighter and erratic menstrual periods." Dr. Benefield said, though she noted that some women may have First Symptom Of Menopause, Early Menopause Symptom | The First Whatâ™s the first symptom of menopause? For many women, that is the question While there are many women experiencing signs and symptoms of pre menopause Menopause: Signs and Symptoms of Menopause The first stage of menopause is known as perimenopause. The first signs of menopause are irregular periods and spotting due to fluctuating hormone levels in Early Menopause Symptoms & First Symptoms of Menopause Early menopause symptoms to know, why the first symptoms of menopause happen prematurely & early menopause symptoms natural treatment options available Menopause Symptoms & Safe Menopause Solutions Learn more about early signs of menopause symptoms, perimenopause and menopause symptoms, Learn the first symptoms of menopause you should know. Menopause â˜Perimenopauseâ™ refers to the several years before menopause when a woman may begin experiencing the first signs of her menopausal transition. Menopause: What to Expect When Your Body is Changing This is one of the first signs of menopause. You may skip periods or they may occur closer together. Your flow may be lighter or heavier than usual. First Symptoms Of Menopause Article Women need to be aware of the first signs of menopause because these signs can indicate to a woman that she is losing the important hormone, estrogen. Early Signs Of Menopause Article Women will need to recognize the early signs of menopause so that they can begin the process of evaluating their physical condition. Early Menopause.com For women going through early menopause or premature ovarian failure (POF) whether naturally, surgically or due to cancer treatments. 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 Early Menopause Symptoms - Are You Suffering From First Symptoms Early Menopause Symptoms - Are You Suffering From First Symptoms of Menopause? Early Signs of Menopause Menopause and the early signs of menopause is just a part of life. The symptoms that follow are physiological changes that occur in the lives of every woman Menopause 101 - What Are The Signs Of Menopause? Menopause changes levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause a variety of symptoms. One of the first signs is a change in your periods. |
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