Abstract
Life expectancy has increased by more than 30 years during the last century and continues to increase. Many women already live decades in menopause deprived of naturally produced oestradiol and progesterone, leading to an increasing incidence of menopause-related disorders such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and lack of general well-being. Exogenous oestradiol has traditionally been used to alleviate menopause-related effects. This commentary discusses a radical new method to postpone menopause. Part of the enormous surplus of ovarian follicles can now be cryostored in youth for use after menopause. Excision of ovarian tissue will advance menopause marginally and will not reduce natural fertility. Grafted tissue restores ovarian function with circulating concentrations of sex steroids for years in post-menopausal cancer survivors. Future developments may further utilize the enormous store of ovarian follicles. Currently, the main goal of ovarian cryopreservation is fertility preservation, but grafting of ovarian tissue may also serve endocrine functions as a physiological solution to prevent the massive medical legacy of osteoporosis and menopause-related conditions in the ageing population.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Reproductive BioMedicine Online |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 128-31 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISSN | 1472-6483 |
| DOIs |
|
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2015 |
Keywords
- Cryopreservation
- Female
- Humans
- Menopause
- Middle Aged
- Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal
- Ovarian Follicle
