Many women are aware that life expectancy is increasing, and understand that this is an opportunity to maintain their health, fertility, and vitality for a longer period.
They strive to delay and even halt, as much as possible, the appearance of signs of aging, in order to enjoy a full and healthy life for many more years.
Menopause is a natural process in every woman's life, a significant crossroads between the fertile years and the third age.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is defined as the decline in the production of estrogen and progesterone, female hormones secreted by the ovaries.
This decline causes a variety of physiological and psychological changes in women, and is primarily characterized by the cessation of menstruation.
When Does Menopause Begin?
Menopause typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55, but it may start earlier or later.
The age of menopause onset is influenced by genetic factors, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Effects of Menopause:
The effects of menopause are diverse and vary from woman to woman. Common symptoms include:
- Hot flashes: Sudden heat attacks accompanied by sweating, chills, and dizziness.
- Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, and poor sleep quality.
- Mood changes: Low mood, irritability, nervousness, and depression.
- Vaginal dryness: Can cause discomfort and irritation during intercourse.
- Menstrual cycle changes: Irregularity, increased or decreased bleeding, and complete cessation of menstruation.
- Weight changes: Tendency to gain weight, especially in the abdominal area.
- Osteoporosis: Decreased bone density, increasing the risk of fractures.
Duration of Menopause:
Menopause usually lasts several years, 7-10 on average.
After the cessation of menstruation, women enter the third age.
In the animal kingdom, menopause is quite rare.
As of 2024, five species of toothed whales are known to undergo this process, in which the ovaries stop functioning: killer whales (orcas), short-finned pilot whales, false killer whales, narwhals (sea unicorns), and beluga whales.
The only known terrestrial species with menopause, of course, is humans.
The Melatonin Miracle: Promises of Youth and Fertility?
Is Melatonin the Key to Delaying Aging and Reversing Menopause?
Many women around the world are looking to Italy, where Dr. Walter Pierpaoli, a renowned physician, offers a unique treatment based on melatonin, a hormone known as the "sleep hormone." Dr. Pierpaoli calls this treatment the "Melatonin Miracle" and claims it can delay aging and reverse menopause.
A Breakthrough Study?
In 2001, Bellipanni and Pierpaoli published a randomized, placebo-controlled study on women in and around menopause (ages 42 to 62), which examined the effect of taking melatonin in the evening.
The study reported relief from typical menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes and low mood) and hormonal changes, including a decrease in LH and FSH levels in the treatment group compared to the control group.
It is important to note: the study did not show restored fertility or pregnancies, only hormonal changes, and it was small and preliminary.
Scientific Explanation?
Dr. Pierpaoli explains the effectiveness of melatonin by its protection of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for producing many hormones, including those related to fertility and aging.
According to him, taking melatonin helps maintain the normal function of this gland, thereby delaying the biological processes that lead to aging and menopause.
What is Important to Know:
Dr. Pierpaoli claims that melatonin has extensive health benefits, but it is important to emphasize that these are his claims and not a body of established evidence.
Melatonin is not a proven means of preventing breast cancer, and its long-term effects on aging and fertility have not been proven in large controlled studies.
Taking melatonin requires consultation with a doctor, especially for menopausal women.
Important Disclaimer:
Dr. Pierpaoli's approach is controversial and is not accepted as evidence-based treatment in the scientific community.
Before considering any hormonal treatment or taking a supplement during menopause, consult a qualified gynecologist.
Treatment Based on the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
A team of Greek researchers led by Dr. Konstantinos Sfakianoudis and Dr. Konstantinos Pantos examined an experimental treatment aimed at reactivating ovarian function in women who experienced early or normal menopause.
The treatment is based on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a substance derived from the woman's own blood and known for its ability to promote tissue healing.
It is important to emphasize upfront: PRP treatment for ovarian rejuvenation is experimental and unproven. The existing evidence is based on small, uncontrolled pilot studies, without randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Professional fertility bodies classify it as experimental only, and it should not be presented as an available or guaranteed solution.
Mechanism of Action:
The researchers hypothesize that PRP may work by stimulating the regeneration of ovarian tissue.
There is a controversial and unproven hypothesis that ovarian stem cells (oogonial stem cells) may exist even after menopause, which could potentially produce new eggs. However, most researchers in the field believe that a woman is born with a fixed pool of eggs that does not regenerate, and the existence of such stem cells in humans has not been proven.
According to the hypothesis, PRP may encourage improvement in ovarian tissue and hormonal function, but the exact mechanism of action is still unclear.
Encouraging Results:
In a pilot study involving 30 postmenopausal women, it was reported that about 43% of them (13 out of 30) responded to the treatment with a return of menstruation or hormonal improvement.
It is important to note: in the postmenopausal group, no egg retrieval was performed, and only very few cases have been reported in the literature as pregnancies following the treatment. These are preliminary and uncontrolled results.
Continued Development:
The team has not yet implanted any embryos in postmenopausal women, but plans to do so in the coming months.
Simultaneously, they are investigating the effects of PRP on the health of women who are not trying to conceive, examining the treatment's potential to delay menopausal symptoms and improve the health of many body systems.
New Study Provides Successful Results in Ovarian Rejuvenation!
The study, conducted by an experienced team of researchers, included 469 women, the largest group of women examined to date in the field of reverse-aging and fertility treatments.
The study focused on examining the effectiveness of PRP treatment, based on injecting platelet-rich plasma into the ovaries, in stimulating tissue regeneration and function.
Encouraging Results:
The study is a retrospective observational study, and included women of reproductive age who have at least one ovary,
women with a history of infertility, hormonal changes, amenorrhea, and premature ovarian failure.
During the patient's first consultation, a detailed reproductive history was recorded, a pelvic scan for ovarian size was performed,
and a hormonal analysis was conducted for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estrogen (E2), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
In the study, 469 women with a history of infertility, hormonal changes, amenorrhea, and premature ovarian failure, whose hormonal levels were recorded up to four months after treatment, were included in the study.
The volume of peripheral blood required to prepare 6-8 ml of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for injection was 40-60 ml.
The initial concentration of platelets in the peripheral blood sample was approximately 25,000/μL, while the prepared PRP had a concentration of 900,000/μL.
A volume of about 2-4 ml per ovary, depending on ovarian volume, was injected into the ovary.
The PRP intervention had significant effects on FSH concentration at the α = 0.05 level.
Statistically significant increases were seen in normal values of FSH and E2 at three and four months after the PRP intervention for all age groups.
The conclusions from the study are that the results show that intraovarian PRP injection affects the improvement of ovarian tissue and function.
Future controlled clinical studies are needed to elucidate the use of PRP in ovarian regeneration before offering it routinely through clinical treatment.
Additional Study
Focused on investigating the changes that occur in human ovaries with age.
The researcher accumulated extensive knowledge on the subject, and her study presents groundbreaking discoveries that may significantly impact our understanding of the female aging process and the development of new treatments.
The Challenge of Obtaining Tissues:
One of the biggest challenges in studying ovarian aging is obtaining suitable tissues for research.
The researcher managed to overcome this challenge through collaboration with 15 volunteers who donated their ovaries after surgery.
These ovaries were divided into three age groups: young (18-28 years), middle-aged (36-39 years), and older (47-49 years).
Innovative Techniques for Studying Gene Expression:
The authors used advanced techniques that allow measuring gene expression at the single-cell level.
These techniques allowed them to analyze the changes in gene expression in eight different types of ovarian cells across age.
Fascinating Findings:
In-depth analysis of gene expression revealed a complex picture of changes occurring in the ovaries with age.
It was found that:
- Significant differences in gene expression: There are significant differences in gene expression between ovaries of women of reproductive age and ovaries of menopausal women. These differences reflect changes in the functions and characteristics of ovarian cells across age.
- Cellular senescence as a central factor: Cellular senescence was found to be a central factor in ovarian aging. Senescent cells in the ovary are characterized by poor function, impaired regenerative capacity, and accumulation of molecular damage.
- Link between cellular senescence and inflammation: A link was found between cellular senescence and inflammation in the ovaries. Senescent cells secrete inflammatory molecules, which cause further damage to healthy cells and contribute to the progression of the aging process.
- FOXP1: A key transcription factor: A key transcription factor regulating aging processes in the ovary was identified - FOXP1. FOXP1 levels decrease with age, which promotes the aging process.
- Quercetin: A new hope for treatment: Quercetin, a natural compound with anti-aging properties, has been shown to inhibit the senescence of ovarian cells and help improve ovarian reserves in mice.
Detailed Experiment on the Effect of FOXP1:
The researchers conducted another experiment in which they examined the effect of FOXP1 on ovarian aging.
They reduced FOXP1 levels in mouse granulosa cells and observed the effect on the aging process. It was found that:
- Accelerated ovarian aging: Reducing FOXP1 led to accelerated ovarian aging in mice.
- Changes in gene expression patterns: Significant changes in gene expression patterns were observed in granulosa cells with reduced FOXP1 levels.
These changes are associated with known aging processes. - Increase in senescence markers: Increases were observed in levels of markers associated with cellular senescence, such as SA-β-gal activity and lipofuscin accumulation.
- Increased cell death: More granulosa cells died by apoptosis (programmed cell death) in mice with reduced FOXP1 levels.
Conclusions:
The study's findings contribute greatly to our understanding of the mechanisms of human ovarian aging. It was found that:
- Cellular senescence is a central factor in ovarian aging.
- A transcription factor called FOXP1 plays a central role in regulating aging processes in the ovary.
- Reducing FOXP1 levels leads to accelerated ovarian aging.
- Quercetin, a natural compound with anti-aging properties, may represent a potential treatment for ovarian aging.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11226744/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7355907/
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S2661318223500032
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10243509/
https://www.ivf-embryo.gr/en/prp-ovarian-rejuvenation
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2023-menopause-age-drugs-women-longevity/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-024-00607-1
https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/18/1/73/853086?login=false
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrm3823
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32005271/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S001429992400027X
💬 Comments (0)
Be the first to comment on the article.