A recent American study revealed a new treatment to restore the production of female hormones and support the general health of the ovaries.
The study was conducted on elderly mice by researchers at Northwestern University in the United States, and was published on September 16 in the journal “Geroscience”, and was written about by the website “EurekAlert”.
What is the ovary?
A woman’s ovaries are the factory where eggs grow and where several hormones are produced that regulate many processes related to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, bone density, and mood. A woman has two ovaries, which are small, oval-shaped glands located on either side of the uterus. An egg is released from either ovary each month. If the egg is fertilized, pregnancy results. As women age, this factory ages and production declines. By the time women reach menopause (51 years on average), this factory is preparing to shut down.
Study details
This new study has discovered a new way to increase the “healthy lifespan” of the ovaries, promoting the health of this organ and preventing major changes in its function associated with aging.
The term “healthy lifespan” refers to the period during which an organ remains healthy and free from serious or chronic diseases.
“The average age of menopause has remained constant over the years, but women are living decades longer due to health and medical advances,” said study author Francesca Duncan, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University. “As the environment we live in has changed, ovarian function has to adapt to these changes to ensure the organ is functioning in balance, helping to keep women healthy longer.”
In this study, researchers used the drug pirfenidone, which is commonly used to treat pulmonary fibrosis. However, other studies are looking at which drug treatments are best for treating ovarian fibrosis, and pirfenidone is one of those options.
“This drug is not yet ready for human trials for this purpose, due to its significant side effects such as liver toxicity, although we did not observe these effects in mice,” Duncan explained. “However, this study demonstrates proof of concept that it can treat ovarian fibrosis and improve overall health. We are currently working intensively to develop a safe and effective drug that can be used to treat this condition in humans.”
In this new study, conducted on laboratory mice to study the possibility of reducing ovarian scarring and fibrosis, the results showed – in addition – an increase in the number of ovarian follicles, improved ovulation, and maintenance of normal hormone levels.
This study focuses on ways to improve overall ovarian health so that it can continue to produce important hormones later in a woman’s life. Low levels of estrogen and progesterone accelerate bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Low hormones can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also lead to decreased cognitive function and mood.
“When we improve overall ovarian health, we address all the issues, because you have eggs that are able to support fertility as well as continue to produce female hormones,” Duncan said, adding that this is “the ultimate solution to this problem.”
ovarian hormones
The ovaries secrete two hormones (estrogen and progesterone), each of which plays a key role in multiple processes. Here are some additional related details, according to Healthline:
1- Pregnancy: Estrogen is necessary to prepare the body for pregnancy, and progesterone is necessary to maintain the pregnancy.
2- Regulating the menstrual cycle: Both low and high levels of estrogen are associated with menstrual problems. Low levels of progesterone also cause some of these problems.
3- Mental health: Estrogen-containing treatments reduce the risk of depression in postmenopausal women. Progesterone is thought to play a role in regulating psychological behavior.
4- Weight gain: High levels of estrogen and progesterone are associated with weight gain.
5- Bone health: Low levels of estrogen and progesterone are linked to poor bone health.
6- Brain functions: Low levels of estrogen are associated with decreased brain function. Low levels of progesterone also impair central nervous system function.