Doctors have made a major scientific breakthrough that enables them to delay menopause for up to 20 years, bringing untold health benefits for women later in life.
Pioneered by the fertility experts behind IVF, nine British women aged between 22 and 36 have already undergone the new 30-minute operation which removes a piece of one of their ovaries. The tissue is then frozen at -150C and held in an ice bank until the women reach menopause. It will then be thawed and transplanted back into the armpit, where it will kickstart their natural hormones — delaying menopause.
The Times says the “revolutionary procedure could transform the lives of thousands of women by tricking their biological clocks into thinking they are much younger than they are”.
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This could limit the effects of menopause-related health problems such as osteoporosis and heart problems as well as reducing draining physical and emotional symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, memory problems, mood swings and anxiety. It could also slow the effects of ageing on women’s sex drives.
The procedure, the first of its kind in the world, costs around £10,000 for the removal, storage and transplant of ovarian tissue. It is currently only being offered at the Birmingham-based private company ProFam (Protecting Family and Menopause) for women up to the age of 40. The clinic is run by Professor Simon Fishel, an IVF pioneer whose work led to the birth of Natalie Brown, the sister of the first test-tube baby, Louise Brown.
Noting that women are living longer than any time in history meaning many will be in the menopause for longer than their fertile period, Fishel told the Times: “We are at a fascinating point in the evolution of our species. We are empowering women to take control of their own health by naturally delaying their menopause”.
“A version of the technique called ovarian tissue cryopreservation has already preserved fertility in women starting treatment for cancer” says the Daily Mail. However, “ProFam is the first to offer women free from disease the chance to freeze their ovarian tissue to delay their menopause, which happens when levels of the hormone oestrogen fall as a result of ovaries no longer producing eggs”.
The new surgery “has sparked fears about women having children very late in life”, reports The Sun. However, while the procedure has the potential to extend fertility, doctors say the main aim is to postpone the menopause rather than give women the chance to have children into their 60s.
Addressing these concerns, Fishel stressed “there would be health risks to both mother and baby should a woman want to start a family at 70”, adding “the body at such an age is not designed to carry a baby”.
