Menopause, a natural phase in a woman’s life, can evoke a range of emotions. Some women welcome the end of menstruation and the possibility of unwanted pregnancy, while others fear the onset of hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and other challenging symptoms. Some are concerned about the increased risk of health problems like osteoporosis, heart disease, and dementia that may arise from the loss of ovarian function and declining estrogen levels after menopause. This is why some scientists and influencers think delaying menopause could be a key factor in extending lifespan.
Dr. Zev Williams, from Columbia University Fertility Center, points out that ovaries age faster than other organs and often faster than the woman herself. He suggests that extending the functional lifespan of the ovaries could significantly improve long-term health and quality of life, especially as women live longer.
However, the concept is controversial. Neuroscientist Jennifer Garrison at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging argues that the focus shouldn’t be solely on delaying menopause or women’s periods. Instead, she suggests preserving the part of ovarian function that affects overall health. Giving women options to maintain the endocrine function of their ovaries could lead to a more consistent quality of life for a longer period.
Some believe, without concrete proof, that delaying menopause could increase both lifespan and healthspan. Dr. Stephanie Faubion, with the Menopause Society and Mayo Clinic, states that there’s no evidence to support this as a “fountain of youth.” She adds that while it would be interesting to prevent the ovaries from “timing out,” it’s uncertain how to achieve this and what potential negative effects there might be.
Despite the uncertainties, the idea has prompted scientists to explore the possibility of delaying menopause in healthy women and investigate methods to achieve it.
One method, primarily used for cancer patients, involves surgically removing and freezing ovarian tissue, then re-implanting it later to restore ovarian function. A study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (2024) indicated that this cryopreservation and transplantation could significantly delay menopause for most women under 40.
Dr. Nanette Santoro, from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, notes that this approach is currently most relevant for women undergoing cancer therapy that will damage their ovarian tissues. She clarifies that the primary use is for fertility preservation, not necessarily for extending the age of menopause by maintaining ovarian function.
Another approach involves Columbia University researchers investigating the use of rapamycin, an immunosuppressant drug typically used to prevent organ transplant rejection, to slow down ovarian aging. The goal isn’t necessarily to prolong fertility but to slow the rate at which the ovaries age.
Initial studies in mice have shown that rapamycin can reduce ovarian aging by 20%. The research team is currently studying whether these benefits apply to women. Williams, who is co-leading the study, emphasizes the importance of waiting for the results of ongoing trials to determine if rapamycin is safe and effective for delaying ovarian aging in women.
Santoro, who isn’t involved in the study, suggests that this approach would be most immediately beneficial for women experiencing early menopause. She points out that menopause before age 45 can have negative health consequences, so extending the age of menopause to 45 for everyone could improve overall population health.
Meanwhile, some companies are working on developing new drugs to slow ovarian aging. Williams notes that the challenges with any new drug include demonstrating its effectiveness, ensuring safety, and overcoming cost and production issues. He adds that the advantage of repurposing a drug like rapamycin is that it has been used for decades, its safety is well-established, and it is relatively inexpensive.
Even if delaying menopause were possible, Santoro says further research is needed to determine whether extending ovarian lifespan beyond the typical age range of 45 to 55 is beneficial. She explains that there would likely be both advantages and disadvantages, such as delaying osteoporosis, potentially reducing heart disease and dementia risks, but these benefits would need to be proven before widespread application.
Possible drawbacks include an increased risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, and blood clots due to longer estrogen exposure.
Santoro adds that many women may not want to continue menstruating, particularly those with conditions like fibroids, painful periods, endometriosis, menstrual migraines, or severe premenstrual syndrome, who often find menopause to be a welcome relief. She concludes that aging, even of the ovaries, can sometimes have its advantages.