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

health menopause natural remedy
Menopause Online
The German Health Department's Commission on Herbal Remedies, known as Commission E, Disclaimer - Menopause-OnlineTM is not intended as medical advice.

Natural menopause relief, menopause herbal treatment, natural
Women living naturally is your online destination for information about HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), and alternative health remedies for menopause and

Ayurveda Ayurvedic Herbs Herbal Remedies Supplements Diet
ayurveda Ayurvedic medicine Alternative medicine Holistic medicine Natural medicine Herbal Medicine Ayurveda Herbs Herbal Remedy Womens Health Food

Female Infertility Herbs for PMS Remedy Herbs Menopause Relief
Ayurveda offers us a look at menopause from a different point of view, alternative holistic natural herbal medicines remedy health herbs healing cure

Howstuffworks "Herbal Remedies for Menopause"
"Herbal Remedies for Menopause". February 15, 2007 http://health.howstuffworks.com/herbal-remedies-for-menopause.htm (January 03, 2008). ADVERTISEMENT

Menopause Natural Remedy - RealAge Menopause Center
Learn natural menopause treatments and what to expect from your doctor. Women's Health and Fitness · Menopause Herbal Remedies

Susun Weed herbal medicine articles on women's health: menopause
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR PROBLEMS IN BREASTFEEDING PART 1. Susun S Weed . New sections on thyroid health, fibromyalgia, hairy problems, male menopause,

Susun Weed herbal medicine articles on women's health: menopause
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR PROBLEMS IN BREASTFEEDING PART 2. Susun S Weed . on women's health topics including: menopause, childbearing, and breast health.

Holistic Healing and Alternative Health Care Solutions
Holistic health care includes alternative natural health remedies, like herbal that offer natural approaches to peri-menopause and post-menopause.

menopause natural remedy - Health & Wellness - Care2 News Network
Top Environmental News stories on global warming, wildlife, sustainable development, animals, nature, health, and more!

Natural Woman
A to Z of Health Conditions, extensive science-based information on more than 650 A to Z of Herbal remedies including Chinese and Ayurvedic more

Menopause Symptoms & Safe Menopause Solutions
Available online, take the womens health clinic PMS & early menopause signs The arthritis herbal remedy natural progesterone relieves aching joints

Herbs for Health: Menopause, thyroid and herbal remedy
No not one. Several Take kelp at least 6 a day. Adlos licorice root for adrenals. Fermented soy made by NOW is a good protein powder.

Menopause Symptoms Perimenopause Hormone Replacement Therapy
Look up the latest news on HRT, estrogen, natural remedies, natural estrogens and other forms of treatment for menopause. Important health topics can be

Mental Help Net - Women's Health - Menopause: Herbal Remedies and
Menopause: Herbal Remedies and Alternative Treatments · Menopause: Controversies · Menopause: Prognosis, Prevention and Mental Health Effects

Herbal Remedies for Menopause
Any herbal remedies for menopause should be thoroughly discussed with your health care provider. You should tell your provider if you are taking any other

Womens Health - Herbal and natural remedies and information on
Native Remedies - womens health information including natural, View Natural Products for Women's Health. Menopause; Sexual Health; Urinary Tract

Natural Health Remedies - Alternative Health Supplements
Learn about natural health remedies and how alternative health supplements effective anti aging natural supplements and a menopause natural remedy that

Herbal Remedies and Natural Remedies for ADD ADHD Anxiety and More
Prostate, Sexual Health, Heart Health⦠Womenâ™s Health. Menopause, Sexual Health An herbal remedy that promotes overall ear health and natural healing


health menopause natural remedy
hormones for menopause
endometrial ablation and menopause
diet exercise menopause
hormone perimenopause replacement therapy