When the ovaries stop functioning, women enter menopause and immediately face an increased risk of dementia, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and other age-related illnesses.
Menopause is defined as the absence of menstruation for at least 12 months, and the health impacts are both immediate and severe.
Dr. Jennifer Garrison, a neuroscientist at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in California, USA, stated that the ovaries act as the control center of “a complex signaling network in a woman’s body.“
Through hormones like estrogen and progesterone, as well as other chemicals, the ovaries communicate with and influence nearly every other organ.
The ovaries play a crucial role in women’s overall health. (Image: iStock).
As a woman’s eggs deplete, leading to menopause, the chemical communications of the ovaries seem to cease. This corresponds with an increased risk of dementia, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and other age-related conditions.
The earlier women enter this phase, the higher the risk of these conditions, significantly impacting longevity.
For women who experience early menopause due to surgical removal of the ovaries, the risk of chronic diseases is even greater.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, the medical director of the North American Menopause Society, noted that this indicates that even after the ovaries stop ovulating during menopause, they can still provide some protection for women’s overall health.
Benefits of Late Menopause
Women who experience late menopause (typically defined as 55 years or older) benefit from prolonged protective effects of estrogen and may enjoy a longer lifespan.
According to a study from epidemiologists at the University of California, Davis, women who enter menopause later have a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes, stronger bone density, and less likelihood of osteoporosis compared to those who undergo early menopause.
Late menopause helps women look younger. (Image: iStock).
Even after menopause, their bones and cardiovascular health are better than their counterparts of the same age. Other impacts on memory, sexual desire, and bladder control also occur later than for those of the same age.
Late menopause also helps women maintain a youthful appearance. The retention of female hormones in the body aids in reducing wrinkles, skin discoloration, and physical decline.
How to Delay Menopause?
Scientists are currently experimenting with various methods to extend ovarian function and delay menopause in women.
The latest drug under investigation is an injectable treatment that can activate anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a hormone that regulates egg development.
While previous AMH research focused on ovarian cancer and infertility, this newer approach aims to mimic AMH protein, potentially extending fertility and delaying menopause.
Other AMH-based drugs are also under study.
In addition to potential AMH options, scientists are examining ovarian aging from different perspectives, including a clinical trial to see if immunosuppressive drugs used in organ transplants and cancer treatment can slow this aging process, and whether antifibrotic drugs can improve egg quality for longer.
Women with late menopause will have better health. (Image: iStock)
Another controversial study is the ovarian tissue transplantation method proposed by Dr. Kutluk Oktay from Yale School of Medicine.
This research developed a procedure for freezing ovarian tissue to preserve fertility for cancer patients, but its applications could extend further: delaying or even preventing menopause in healthy women.
However, this method has sparked ethical debates regarding the surgery to remove a healthy organ from a woman of reproductive age, followed by the transplantation back into her body at a certain time to delay menopause.
Your lifestyle can help delay menopause
Choosing a healthy lifestyle can also influence the timing of menopause. While there’s no guarantee that healthy habits will delay menopause, they may have some effects.
Some factors that may help delay menopause include:
Childbirth and breastfeeding: Studies have shown that women who give birth and breastfeed for 7-12 months are associated with higher AMH levels and a slower onset of menopause.
Regular exercise is essential at all ages. (Image: iStock)
Regular exercise: Physical activity can influence hormonal balance. Daily exercise may help you manage the menopause process better.
No smoking: Research has indicated that women who smoke are more likely to experience early menopause compared to non-smokers.
Healthy diet: There is some evidence that a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may delay menopause. One hypothesis suggests that these nutrients may protect and preserve eggs in the ovaries for a longer period.
These strategies may or may not postpone menopause. However, maintaining good health is crucial at all ages – before, during, and after menopause.
