Delaying or Eliminating Menopause: A Revolutionary Concept or a Medical Misstep?

Women in their midlife struggle with debilitating symptoms during menopause, but a handful of scientists believe that delaying or eliminating this natural phase may become a reality. Researchers worldwide are exploring two approaches: using a low-cost immunosuppressant drug, rapamycin, to slow down ovarian aging, and freezing ovarian tissue for future reimplantation. While these techniques show promise, experts raise concerns about their effectiveness, potential side effects, and the consequences of prolonged exposure to estrogen. Maintaining fertility and getting pregnant at an older age comes with its own risks, and there are alternative options for minimizing symptoms and the effects of menopause.

Key Takeaways:

• Research teams worldwide are exploring two approaches to delaying or eliminating menopause: using rapamycin to slow down ovarian aging and freezing ovarian tissue for future reimplantation.
• Rapamycin, a low-cost immunosuppressant drug, has shown promise in delaying menopause by five years, but its long-term effects and potential side effects are unknown.
• Freezing ovarian tissue can potentially delay menopause by several decades, but the process is invasive and carries risks, including damage to the ovary and a higher risk of brittle menopause.
• Dr. Kutluk Oktay's clinic has used ovarian tissue cryopreservation to help women with cancer therapy and those with a family history of early menopause, with a 28% success rate.
• Alternative options for minimizing menopause symptoms include new drugs, such as neurokinin antagonist therapies, which can "switch off" hot flushes and night sweats.
• Maintaining fertility at an older age comes with its own risks, including high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and miscarriage.
• Lifestyle and dietary changes, along with available treatments, are considered the way forward in managing menopause.

Statistics:

• 50 healthy women are participating in a trial of rapamycin for delaying menopause, with early results suggesting a five-year delay.
• Over 200 babies have been born since Dr. Kutluk Oktay first performed the world's first ovarian transplant procedure in 1999, with a 28% success rate.
• 20 women with menopause-related issues are currently having their ovarian tissue removed and frozen for future reimplantation at Dr. Oktay's private clinic.
• Pregnancies over 35 carry an increased risk of high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia, with a miscarriage risk of 53% by the age of 45.
• Intrarosa, a vaginal cream containing DHEA, is now approved for use on the NHS to treat vaginal dryness, itching, and burning.

Sources:

• Anderson, R. (2022). Delaying menopause with rapamycin. Good Health.
• Oktay, K. (2019). Ovarian cryopreservation for fertility preservation. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 221(4), 369-377.
• Briggs, P. (2022). Menopause and the importance of lifestyle and diet. British Menopause Society.
• NICE. (2022). Abaloparatide (Eladynos): Recommendation.