Title: Unlocking the Secret to Postponing Menopause
Menopause, a natural phase in a woman’s reproductive life, often sparks diverse emotional responses. While some rejoice at bidding farewell to periods and the risk of unplanned pregnancies, others fear the onset of symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. Additionally, concerns loom over health risks such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and dementia that accompany the decline in estrogen levels post-menopause. This has prompted speculation among scientists and influencers that delaying menopause could be linked to longevity.
Dr. Zev Williams, from Columbia University, notes the rapid aging of the ovary compared to other organs, underscoring the potential impact of extending its functional lifespan on overall health and well-being amid longer life expectancies for women. However, the idea of postponing menopause is met with skepticism by some, like neuroscientist Jennifer Garrison, who argues for preserving ovarian function linked to health.
While some speculate about extending lifespans through delayed menopause, experts like Dr. Stephanie Faubion caution against viewing it as a fountain of youth without concrete evidence. Nonetheless, investigations are underway on how menopause can be postponed in healthy women. One method involves freezing and re-implanting ovarian tissue, primarily used in cancer patients for fertility purposes.
Overall, the concept of delaying menopause raises intriguing possibilities and research avenues, but uncertainties and ethical considerations remain.
Columbia University has been researching the potential use of the immunosuppressant drug rapamycin, typically employed to prevent organ transplant rejection, in the context of delaying ovarian aging. The primary objective is not necessarily to prolong fertility but rather to decelerate the process of ovarian aging. Initial investigations conducted on mice suggest that rapamycin has the capability to reduce ovarian aging by up to 20%. Presently, the team of researchers is in the process of exploring whether these observed benefits can be extrapolated to women. Co-leading the study, Williams stresses the importance of awaiting the findings of the ongoing VIBRANT study to ascertain the safety and efficacy of rapamycin in delaying ovarian aging in women.
According to Santoro, not directly involved in the study, the most immediate impact of this research would likely be on women experiencing early menopause. It is well-documented that menopause occurring before the age of 45 can lead to detrimental health outcomes. As such, delaying menopause until the age of 45 could potentially yield a net benefit for population health.
Meanwhile, various companies are actively engaged in the development of novel drugs aimed at slowing down ovarian aging. Williams highlights the challenges associated with introducing a new drug, emphasizing the necessity of proving its effectiveness, ensuring a favorable safety profile, and addressing issues related to cost and production. Repurposing a well-established drug like rapamycin offers the advantage of a known safety profile due to its extensive usage over the years, coupled with its relatively low cost.
However, even if it were feasible, further research is warranted to determine the rationale behind extending the ovarian lifespan beyond the “normal” menopausal age range of 45 to 55, as per Santoro. Potential benefits of such an extension could encompass delaying the onset of osteoporosis in at-risk women, lowering the risk of heart disease, and reducing the likelihood of dementia. Nevertheless, these benefits must be substantiated before being applied on a broader scale.
Conversely, potential drawbacks may include an elevated risk of developing breast cancer, uterine cancer, and blood clotting events due to prolonged estrogen exposure, notes Santoro. There are also women who may not wish to continue experiencing menstrual periods. For instance, women suffering from conditions such as fibroids, painful periods, endometriosis, menstrual migraines, and severe premenstrual syndrome often view menopause as a welcome relief from their symptoms. Aging, including that of the ovaries, may indeed come with its own set of advantages.
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