Anne Vaillancourt

Researchers are active in trying to identify ways women can move through menopause comfortably and in the most healthy fashion for them. Often times interesting studies are published or mentioned in meetings that the experts convene to discuss topics, both in the US as well as abroad. A few of the interesting topics I found in last weeks news are as follows:

Why does menopause happen well before our elderly years?

Researchers in the social sciences have been wondering this also. In most other species, the female species quickly die after loosing their reproductive capacity. Not so in Killer Whales and Pilot Whales who appear to have a similar social system as humans in terms of timing of menopause and life expectancy. It has been noted that these species of whale become genetically close to those they live with and are invested in the survival of the group. In humans, we already have this situation in that we often live with our families. It is surmised that post menopause, we are there to help the younger of our group raise their young. This tradition is especially demonstrated in other cultures mentioned in previous posting /cultural attitudes and menopause. In many African and Mayan cultures, the elder women become the sages and the leaders of their communities.

Sex and menopause is always a topic of discussion among men and women alike.

A recent study of a small group of British women, recently published in Journal of Psychology looked at this issue. Surprisingly, they found that other factors besides hormonal issues impacted a menopausal woman’s sex life the most. These included but were not confined to decreased sex drive of partner, carry for elderly parents. It is felt by researchers that social and psychological issues influence sexual behavior more than biologic issues. What do you think of this and is this the case with you and/or your friends?

There is now a blood test that researchers feel can predict when menopause may happen for a woman. In a small study performed by the Shahad Behesh University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran; 266 women aged 20-49 submitted blood samples of AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) over a period of years. These women were part of a larger study of lipids and glucose begun in 1998. AMH is a hormone which is expressed in ovarian follicles and controls formation of primary follicles, thereby allowing only one follicle to develop monthly.It is only produced in small follicles and is felt to be a measure of ovarian follicle reserve. Certain levels were found to correlate with the onset of menopause, perhaps allowing women to consider when to start families in terms of work and career issues. Researchers at the above facility feel it may be a useful tool to help with family planning.

Another reason to take fish oil capsules is prevention of invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Recently published in the Journal of American Association of Cancer Research is a small study indicating protection of this form of breast cancer with regular use of fish oil supplements containing EPA and DHA. A 32% reduction of invasive ductal carcinoma was seen.

It is reassuring that research continues on menopausal issues, as much of a woman’s productive life can be after her reproductive life. It is interesting to read of research from different countries as it seems much the research in the US can be presumed to be driven by the pharmacology industry.