She said that “For us, what’s most important is that there are so many shared genes involved. This isn’t just about worms and how they reproduce.”   Well that’s a relief, but as she freely admits that such commonalities would exist wasn’t obvious as given that reproduction in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans “goes to pot” in a matter of days compared to three decades or more in humans.  At least we are being compared to a worm with elegans in its name, so that’s something.

The newfound similarities suggest that studies of worms can provide a window into the ticking of our own biological clocks, and might ultimately point toward ways to preserve fertility in women who plan to delay having children.  Given that more women are delaying their families due to work and economic pressures this could be extremely valuable. , the researchers say.

Before you start comparing yourself to a worm, and in my experience most women aren’t too keen on the little wrigglers, then remember there are important differences in human and worm reproduction. For one, the oocytes that are the immature egg cells are continually produced in worms, whereas humans’ total oocyte supply is present at birth. Still, both human and C. elegans females reproduce for about one-third to one-half of their lives and there are similarities in the process by which our oocytes mature.

In humans, reproductive aging takes place a decade or so before the oocyte supply runs out, suggesting that quality, not quantity, is the limiting factor. The question was whether the same is true in worms, and it appears the answer is yes.

Earlier studies found that some long-lived C. elegans mutantsalso show delayed declines in reproduction. The similarities in reproductive aging in worms and humans may allow us to use worms to study this important human problem, enabling the development of therapies to address maternal age-related birth defects and reproductive decline.

An interesting aside, given the number of ‘elderly’ mothers who have sought IVF treatment in the last few years, is that in worms whose reproductive cycle extends beyond their normal lifespan they can still produce eggs but their body has decayed to the point that they can’t actually lay the fertilized eggs. The mothers are killed as a result.  The researchers said “It’s like an 80-year-old woman trying to have a baby,” and this is reminiscent of the case of the Indian woman Rajo Devi Lohan.  She became the world’s oldest mother to give birth to triplets at the age of 70, but just 18 months after giving birth at the age of 70 she was revealed in June 2010 to be dying as she is too weak to recover from complications after her IVF pregnancy.

Sadly, ‘the right time’ may not be something you are in control of and currently early menopause affects one in 20 UK women which of course reduces the number of available fertile years.  Lead scientist Dr Anna Murray, from the University of Exeter Peninsula Medical School, says, “It is estimated that a woman’s ability to conceive decreases on average ten years before she starts the menopause. Therefore, those who are destined to have an early menopause and delay childbearing until their 30s are more likely to have problems conceiving.”

The study Breakthrough Generations Study was done by scientists at the University of Exeter Peninsula Medical School and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and funded by The Wellcome Trust.  They tested four genes associated with the menopause and then compared 2,000 women from the Breakthrough Generations Study who had experienced early menopause with a matched group of the same number. The four genes each affected risk of early menopause individually, but in combination they had a larger impact, which goes some way towards explaining why some women experience early menopause.

The Breakthrough Generations Study is a large and comprehensive study into the causes of breast cancer and will follow the 100,000 UK women participants for the next 40 years to unravel the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause the disease.

Although early menopause is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer, women who experience early menopause are susceptible to other health problems including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and a reduction in fertility.

It is hoped that the research could help women determine whether they have a genetic predisposition to early menopause, and therefore predict the time of the end of their reproductive life so they could then make informed family planning decisions on the basis of this knowledge.  These findings are the first stage in developing an easy and relatively inexpensive genetic test which could help the one in 20 UK women who may be affected by early menopause.

Professor John Kanis, President of the IOF wants to draw both the public and the media’s attention to this critical situation. He said “The widespread under-diagnosis and lack of treatment of spinal fractures, leaves millions of people around the world with chronic pain, deformity, disability and at high risk of future fractures.”  The repercussions of these common fractures can be severe, resulting in stooped back, acute and chronic back pain, loss of height, immobility, depression, increased number of bed days, reduced pulmonary function and even premature death.

‘The Breaking Spine’, authored by Professor Harry K. Genant of the University of California and Dr. Mary Bouxsein of Harvard Medical School, reveals the serious impact of these fractures and calls on health professionals to take action to diagnose patients and refer them for treatment. “Doctors must look out for evidence of spinal fractures, especially in their patients over 50 — stooped back, loss of height, and sudden, severe back pain are the three tell-tale signs, says Professor Genant. “It is essential that doctors refer these patients for further testing and that radiology reports clearly identify spinal fractures as ‘FRACTURED’ to avoid ambiguity.” Currently, only about 40% of older women with spinal fractures visible on X-ray are tested for osteoporosis. The figure is even lower in men (less than 20%).

This report refers t the US, but the situation is just as critical in Europe

Women have been drinking it to help improve menopause symptoms and this specific blend, known as Tava Tea, also claims to promote well-being and soothe aches and pains.

The tea’s all natural ingredients increase the metabolism and reduce food cravings to fight weight gain, something which is common during times of heightened hormonal activity.

Regular users claim it does help them lose weight, decrease their hot flushes and give a greater sense of well-being. Dr Tim Thurlings, who developed the tea’s unique blend, says that by simply drinking a few cups of the tea a day users can expect to lose between 2-4lbs week.  Sounds a little unlikely to me unless it’s also balanced with a sensible diet but he also claims that the tea helps reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of developing some forms of lung cancer so you’re getting overall health benefits as well as a nice refreshing cuppa!  As it also contains polyphenols it theoretically could help fight the ageing process too but I wouldn’t want to guarantee that.

It is certainly a great deal more expensive than any ordinary tea, but as one teabag makes up to 8 pots (full instructions with each box) and you get all those health benefits it may well be worth it.  I know many women who can’t put a price on being able to reduce their hot flushes. If this interests you it can only be bought online so visit www.tavatea.co.uk

Depression is already a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease but it seems that taking antidepressants may significantly increase the risk of stroke for women who are postmenopausal.  The study is based on data from the well respected Women’s Health Initiative which was responsible for proving that hormone replacement therapy significantly increased the risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer and death in postmenopausal women.

This latest study took place over six years and involved over 136,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79. The study found that those taking antidepressants were 45 percent more likely to suffer from a stroke during that period than women not taking the drugs, and 32 percent more likely to die from any cause.  The risk of stroke for a postmenopausal woman taking an antidepressant was roughly one in 200 in each given year and the increased stroke risk from antidepressants remained the same regardless of which drug class women were taking – whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclics.  However SSRIs appeared to pose a higher risk for a hemorrhagic stroke caused by brain bleeding.

The Stroke Association are currently funding further studies to look into the links between depression and the risk of stroke.  If you want to reduce your own risk then simple steps to take are lifestyle changes such as reducing your blood pressure, giving up smoking, reducing alcohol intake, improving your diet and getting plenty of exercise.

Girls are most likely to have their first migraine headache in their teens and it usually occurs with the start of menstruation. This time of hormonal upheaval can be a factor in many conditions, but it does seem that the decline in the blood level of estrogen during the onset of menstruation is a trigger. It may be that it is the fluctuating levels of estrogen, rather than the estrogen itself, that are at the root of this condition. Our central nervous system is highly sensitive in responding to hormonal fluctuation and it is an entirely normal reaction.

Once out of the teenage years, there is a marked increase in the number of women suffering migraines, mostly after the age of 40. The good news is that it does seem to diminish once menopause starts, so that is one potential blessing!

Many women as part of their PMS symptoms do suffer from headaches, but they usually cease when the period starts. Migraines related to menstruation tend to happen 2 days before and 2 days after the period’s onset and the first day is when they are most likely.

A headache is a headache, but migraine is unmistakable because of its distinct symptoms. The pain is intense and often on one side of the head only and you will be highly sensitive to light and sound. Nausea is common and any movement makes it worse with many experiencing disturbance to the vision – seeing flashing lights or an aura around objects.

Some things can make it worse, the contraceptive pill for instance has been linked to an increase in migraines but some women have found that it has improved them – that hormone fluctuation may have been balanced out by the pill. If you are on the pill and suffering, talk to your doctor about the dosage of estrogen you are receiving as the migraine risk is linked to that, and not the the progestin the pills contain.

What can help?

There is no permanent cure for migraines, though there are things that can help. First identify if you have a specific trigger that brings on your migraine and avoid it. The most common are: stress, sleep disturbances, fasting, hormones, bright or flickering lights, odours, cigarette smoke, alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, monosodium glutamate, nitrites, aspartame, and caffeine.

Natural help can include the mineral magnesium, the herb feverfew and 5-HTP. The latter is a compound produced in the body from the amino acid tryptophan to make the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin in the body. Therapies that many have found relief with include acupuncture, chiropractic and biofeedback.