Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be able to conceive at older ages due to the condition delaying perimenopause, according to new research. A study by the University of Edinburgh found that only 3% of women with PCOS reached perimenopause by the age of 46, compared to 12% of women without the condition.
The researchers, led by Dr. Sarah Robertson, analysed data from over 1,000 women with PCOS and a control group without the condition. They found that women with PCOS were significantly less likely to experience perimenopause by the age of 46, with the condition typically occurring 2-10 years later.
The study's findings, which are published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, a peer-reviewed journal, suggest that women with PCOS may have a longer reproductive window than previously thought. This may have significant implications for fertility treatment and reproductive health in the UK, particularly for women who are diagnosed with PCOS at a younger age.
PCOS is a common endocrine disorder affecting up to 1 in 10 women of childbearing age in the UK. The condition is characterised by irregular menstrual cycles, cysts on the ovaries, and high levels of androgens. While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it is thought to be related to genetic and environmental factors.
The delayed onset of perimenopause in women with PCOS may have both positive and negative implications. On the one hand, it may allow women to conceive at older ages, potentially increasing their chances of having a child. On the other hand, it may also increase the risk of age-related health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, which are more common in older women.