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 |
| menopause and hot flashes |
|
Symptoms of Menopause: Hot Flashes A comprehensive guide to a hot flashes. Explains why they occur during menopause and offers tips on how to deal with them. Menopause Relief, Hot Flashes, and more Menopause Relief - The North American Menopause Society, devoted to promoting women's health through understanding of menopause, early menopause, Hot Flashes Menopause A simple look at hot flashes and night sweats in menopause. Find out what to expect during menopausal hot flashes and night sweats, and learn how to reduce Symptoms of Menopause - RealAge Menopause Center Symptoms of Menopause, Hot Flashes - Evaluate your symptoms of menopause and find information on menopause treatment. Hot flashes and menopause - WebMD A hot flash is a momentary feeling of hotness that can be accompanied by sweating and a red, flushed face. WebMD Menopause Center - Find menopause information including Menopause affects every woman differently; in fact, 50% of women never suffer symptoms such as hot flashes. Find in-depth menopause information including Non hormonal treatment of menopause hot flashes, flushes, night Non hormonal treatment of menopausal and other cause hotflashes menopause hot flashes, flushes. Menopause and Peri Menopause Symptoms:hot flashes, night sweats If you have two or more of the following symptoms, it COULD be the onset of peri-menopause. Many of the symptoms could indicate other problems too (such as Menopause: Beyond Hot Flashes - TIME Menopause: Beyond Hot Flashes. Monday, Nov. 07, 2005 By CHRISTINE GORMAN. Illustration for TIME by JON KRAUSE. Article Tools Menopause: Beyond Hot Flashes - TIME Ever since the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) concluded three years ago that the long-term use of the hormones estrogen and progestin to prevent heart All About Hot Flashes Hot flashes are mostly caused by the hormonal changes of menopause, but can also be affected by lifestyle and medications. A diminished level of estrogen Hot flashes: Minimize discomfort during menopause - CNN.com Nighttime hot flashes â” or night sweats â” can wake you from a sound sleep. During menopause, some women experience hot flashes for a year or more. ABC News: Combat Hot Flashes During Menopause Hot flashes are the most common complaints of women who are experiencing menopause. There are ways, however, to combat them through clothes, food and herbal Best Hot Flashes Menopause Product Feel Normal Again When You Use Hot Flash Freedom For Support for Problems Associated with Hot Flashes and Night Sweats. It's not just a promise. Hot Flashes and Hot Flash Symptoms and Treatment on MedicineNet.com Learn about hot flashes are a common symptoms of menopause and the possible Topics Related to Alternative Treatments for Hot Flashes of Menopause Hot flashes, Night Sweats: What Can I Do About Hot Flashes and Remember to be sure to check with your health care practiioner before attributing any of the above symptoms to menopause. Hot flashes can be the sign of Hot flashes: Minimize discomfort during menopause - MayoClinic.com Hot flashes â” Discover remedies for hot flashes, an uncomfortable symptom of menopause. No More Hot Flashes 10 Ways to Relieve Menopausal Hot Flashes Menopause and the dreaded hot flashes--it's almost impossible to think of one without the other. Hot flashes are probably the first symptom we think of when Hot Flash, Hot Flashes - Menopause and What's a Hot Flash? Considered by many to be the hallmark of menopause, hot flashes are the most common menopausal symptom in Western societies. |
| menopause and hot flashes |
|
menopause com menopause menopause and metabolism menopause cream |