Researchers have found that they can accurately predict the age at which women will reach the menopause - giving women a clearer idea about their reproductive future.
The team from Tehran tested the levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) which controls the development of the follicles in the ovaries. AMH has been used as a test of ovarian reserve, or the number of eggs likely to remain in the ovaries, for some time. In this new test, blood samples were taken every three years and looked at in conjunction with information about a woman's reproductive history. The women were also given a three-yearly physical examination. 266 women were involved in the study, and the researchers predicted their menopause very accurately - on average they were just a third of a year out. More research is now needed to see if the findings can be replicated in a larger group.
The research is particularly useful for women who want to plan when to start a family, but it is vital to remember that having a later menopause does not guarantee your fertility until that point. Women are less and less fertile for years before they reach the menopause, and there are many other problems that can cause infertility. However, any new research in this field is very welcome and will undoubtedly help many women.
A press release about the research can be found at www.eshre.eu
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