In the past, ovaries were simply considered organs for reproduction. Even now, the extent of their biological importance beyond the life cycle is limited. However, thanks to societal advances, we have a better understanding of ovaries beyond the obvious. Ovaries release estrogen, which is vital in maintaining bone structure, keeping cardiac cells healthy, and serving as essential neurotransmitters for cognitive function.
During menopause, estrogen levels rapidly decrease, and women become more vulnerable to bone disease and neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s. On average, women enter perimenopause and menopause in their 40s and 50s and will spend the next 30+ years of life enduring the effects of estrogen loss. A study conducted last year revealed that individual organs age at different rates. Ovaries age faster than any other organ. Jennifer Garrison, professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, explains that our ovaries are “aging faster than the rest of our tissues is a real problem.” Thus, while women tend to live longer than men, they often do so in a more vulnerable state due to a sudden drop in estrogen levels caused by a rapidly aging reproductive system. However, a study examining the effectiveness of an existing medication in delaying menopause offers promise.
Rapamycin is a drug often used by transplant recipients to protect against organ rejection. Derived from a bacteria found in the soil of Easter Island, this drug is known to quell overactive immune systems. Dr. Zev Williams, Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, is the principal investigator of the Validating Benefits of Rapamycin for Reproductive Aging Treatment (VIBRANT) trial. The double-blind pilot study includes women between the ages of 38 and 45 who have regular periods. Early results reveal that the drug slows the number of eggs leaving the reserve pool. Williams explains, “It’s almost as if you have a sink full of water, and you’re slowing down how fast the water is going down the drain… Menopause occurs when there’s no more water in the sink.” No adverse effects have been reported
Delaying menopause with rapamycin could be a game-changer for women’s health, offering more years of vitality and lowering the risks linked to estrogen loss. As we wait for the VIBRANT trial results, this research holds the promise of helping women age more healthily and live longer, fuller lives.
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