Medicosnext
Early menopause is described as the cessation of ovarian function at or before the age of 45 years. About 12.2% of women experience early menopause, and for them, donor eggs are the only option for becoming pregnant. In the past, women with primary ovarian insufficiency have been treated with treatment options like standard, controlled ovarian stimulation and platelet-rich plasma, but the results have been disappointing, with few pregnancies and live births. Novel approaches being pursued currently include methods for inducing the growth of ovarian follicles.
Now, a small study (“Resumed ovarian function and pregnancy in early menopausal women by whole dimension subcortical ovarian administration of platelet-rich plasma and gonadotropins.” Menopause, 2021) indicates that administering platelet-rich plasma and gonadotropins near the ovarian follicles may restore ovarian function in early menopausal women. In the study, when platelet-rich plasma and gonadotropins were injected into the ovaries of 12 participants, 11 resumed menstruation, with one even becoming clinically pregnant (where pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound and fetal heartbeat).
These results mean that early menopausal women could perhaps pursue pregnancy through in-vitro fertilization using their own eggs. According to Medical Director Dr. Stephanie Faubion of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), this pilot study highlights the promise of regenerative medicine in restoring or prolonging fertility. At the same time, she cautions, “Additional studies conducted prospectively and involving large numbers of women are needed to determine whether this is truly a viable option for women with early menopause hoping to achieve pregnancy using their own eggs,”
Reference: ScienceDaily, March 31, 2021. https://bit.ly/3fDFOTe
