|
|
Fertility pill to delay menopause
 Today
women are gaining full status as women in our society, they are getting educated
and having careers. With the only disadvantage that their biology is working
against them. At the age of 16, a woman had 400,000 eggs - but by the age of 46
there are virtually none left. Women loose around two eggs an hour.
More and more women are finding problems with
infertility if they
delay having babies until later in life. In a recent
news published, fertility
experts claim to have identified a protein which could be harnessed to delay the
menopause. The discovery raises hopes that drugs could be developed which will
allow women to wait longer to have a child. Professor Robert Winston, of
Imperial College in London, told a conference that researchers had found a
protein which they believe could be developed into a pill or an injection to
prolong the life of women's eggs.
It has been disclosed that the number of women aged 40 and over having fertility
treatment had increased ten-fold in the past 15 years. However, success rates
have almost remained unchanged and fertility doctors are warning women that
their chances of having a baby were lower and the risks of complications far
greater if they delay
pregnancy.
There are a number of questions that remain to be answered regarding the new
research, like...
-
 Will this protein actually make these eggs safer?
-
As women get older there is an increased risk of chromosomal
abnormalities in their eggs, meaning their children are more likely to have
problems. Will the protein stop this happening?
-
Will the proteins have any side effects in any other systems of the
body?
-
Some studies have indicated that if
HRT is taken after the menopause
there are effects on
breast cancer risks and blood coagulation – will the
protein have the same effect?
-
A long programme of trials would mean the new drug, which could be
delivered as a pill, a patch or a yearly injection – may not be available
for many years. The drug could possibly be taken at the same time as HRT, to
combat the actual nature of the menopause as well as just its side effects.
Health Recommendations for women seeking pregnancy at 40
-
 The key to minimizing risk is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. A good
diet
and regular
exercise is important, and, as with all pregnant women, smoking
is an extremely bad idea.
-
Avoid alcohol - alcohol can increase the risk of certain birth defects
and interfere with proper fetal growth.
-
Avoid caffeine - even moderate caffeine intake may increase your risk of
miscarriage.
-
Regular rest and a good night's
sleep are also recommended as is regular
stretching exercises to maintain circulation in the pelvic area. This
prevents the pooling of blood in the placenta.
-
All women who plan to get pregnant should take daily doses of
folic acid
to reduce the risk of foetal abnormalities.
-
Older women should have regular scans during their pregnancy so that
doctors can keep a close eye on the development of the foetus. Tests such as
amniocentesis - the withdrawal of amniotic fluid from around the foetus -
and chorionic villus sampling are also available to detect abnormalities.
Related Links
|
|
|
|
|
