AN ANTI-menopause jab could prevent the change from happening, scientists claim.
The injection, currently being worked on by US researchers, may mimic a hormone that usually drops in women after they turn 25.
This could mean that when levels normally plummet at around age 45 during menopause, the drug could delay the shift or stop it happening altogether.
Dr Daisy Robinton, of Oviva Therapeutics, told DailyMail.com: “This drug may not just delay the menopause — it could actually prevent it.”
The menopause occurs when a woman’s periods stop due to lower hormone levels, usually between the ages of 45 and 55.
It causes symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods.
Hormones that drop during the change include oestrogen and progesterone, which influence the menstrual cycle.
They also include Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) — the hormone mimicked by the drug currently in development.
AMH is produced by the ovaries and gradually declines with age.
Previous research has shown that women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which cause higher levels of AMH, tend to start menopause two years later.
Speaking at the Livelong Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, Dr Robinton said AMH could be used to slow how quickly eggs are lost and “extend the runway to the menopause”.
She said “The ovaries age 2.5 times faster than the rest of the body and from the age of 35 to 50, they go through a rapid decline.
“At the age of 52, the menopause onset happens, with the loss of the ovaries causing the rest of the body to start to decline.
“AMH hormone controls the amount of lag time until the menopause and actually acts as a brake in females.”
We’re developing therapeutics that will reimagine what menopause can be for women
Dr Daisy Robinton
Her company is currently testing the injection — which would be taken every few months — on mice.
If successful, it would move to human trials over the next few years.
Dr Robinton told Oprah Daily: “We’re developing therapeutics that will reimagine what menopause can be for women.
“This really means choosing if to have menopause, or when to have menopause.
“In supporting the function of the ovaries for a longer period of time, we’re hoping we’re ultimately supporting the health of women for a longer period of time.”
The different menopause treatments
THE main menopause treatment is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which replaces the hormones that are at low levels.
There are various types and doses, and it’s important to find the one that works best for you.
Oestrogen comes as:
- Skin patches
- A gel or spray to put on the skin
- Implants
- Tablets
If you have a womb (uterus), you also need to take progesterone to protect your womb lining from the effects of oestrogen. Taking oestrogen and progesterone is called combined HRT.
Progesterone comes as:
- Patches, as part of a combined patch with oestrogen
- IUS (intrauterine system, or coil)
- Tablets
Some people are also offered testosterone gels or creams to help improve sex drive, mood and energy levels, or additional oestrogen tablets, creams or rings for vaginal dryness and discomfort.
Other medicines can be used to treat menopause symptoms.
These include a blood pressure medicine called clonidine and an epilepsy drug called gabapentin to help with hot flushes and night sweats.
Antidepressants can combat mood symptoms if you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can also help.
Alternative treatments, like herbal remedies, are not recommended as it is unclear how safe and effective they are.
Source: NHS
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
