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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First symptoms of menopause The first symptom of menopause is the irregular period cycle. A woman may get her periods too frequently or too long. Menopause â˜Perimenopauseâ™ refers to the several years before menopause when a woman may begin experiencing the first signs of her menopausal transition. What Is Menopause? Early menopause, premature menopause and/or premature ovarian failure are terms but the first symptoms such as night sweats and mood swings may occur. 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 Menopause Facts : Recognizing The First Symptoms Of Menopause There are several first symptoms of menopause that are usually quite sudden and noticeable, including a change in periods, hot flashes and night sweats, Menopause: Signs and Symptoms of Menopause A look at when menopause starts, the common signs and symptoms and what women can The first signs of menopause are irregular periods and spotting due to Menopause: What to Expect When Your Body is Changing Others experience symptoms, such as the following: A change in your menstrual cycle. This is one of the first signs of menopause. The menopause The menopause, also called the change of life, is defined as the end of the last These symptoms often settle after the first few months of treatment. 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 BMJ BestTreatments :: Conditions :: Menopause :: What is it? The first signs of the menopause Reaching the menopause When will the menopause happen to me? You can get symptoms of the menopause for several years. MENOPAUSE But some are due to menopause. Common symptoms of menopause include: A woman should first talk to her doctor to see what's best for her. 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. 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. Menopause Symptoms & Safe Menopause Solutions Menopause symptoms - do you know the menopause symptoms, premenopause and perimenopause symptoms and how to eliminate symptoms of menopause? Learn the first First Symptoms of Menopause If you're getting close to the age where menopause usually occurs, you're probably on the lookout for many signs that may occur. The first symptoms of Hotflash! News - Common Perimenopause Signs and Symptoms When women experience the most troublesome symptoms of menopause, they need quick, effective remedies. This "survival guide" is an invaluable tool to Early Menopause Symptoms Explained & Early Menopause Symptoms Relief Early menopause symptoms usually aren't considered important but early menopause symptoms should receive a lot more attention. Learn about the symptoms of Menopause 101 - What Are The Signs Of Menopause? progesterone can cause a variety of symptoms. Discover the most common symptoms of menopause. One of the first signs is a change in your periods. Early Menopause Symptoms - Are You Suffering From First Symptoms Early Menopause Symptoms - Are You Suffering From First Symptoms of Menopause? |
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