Latest news with #Anti-MllerianHormone
India Today
5 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Stress, overuse of contraceptives driving early menopause in Indian women?
Top View of Unidentified Young Woman, Dressed in a Pink Pajama, holding her Contraceptive Pills, While She Is Standing in the Bathroom Declining ovarian reserve is no affecting women under 30 Environmental toxins and lifestyle factors accelerate ovarian ageing Many young women still menstruate but have low fertility potential Once considered a concern for women in their late 40s, declining fertility is now impacting women in their 20s. Doctors across India are reporting a sharp rise in cases of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and early menopause, fuelled by modern lifestyles, environmental factors, and lack of timely awareness. 'We are now regularly seeing women under 30 with alarmingly low AMH levels,' says Dr Beena Muktesh, Clinical Director, IVF, Motherhood Fertility & IVF, adding how this early decline in ovarian reserve is altering the fertility landscape entirely. WHAT IS DIMINISHED OVARIAN RESERVE OR EARLY MENOPAUSE? Diminished ovarian reserve refers to a reduction in the quantity and quality of a woman's eggs, which can make conception difficult both naturally and through IVF. The Anti-Mllerian Hormone (AMH) blood test and antral follicle count via ultrasound are the most reliable tools to measure ovarian reserve. A low AMH level can indicate declining fertility even before symptoms appear. In many cases, the decline starts silently. WHY ARE SO MANY YOUNG WOMEN AFFECTED? The rise in early menopause, where the ovaries stop functioning before age 40, is now being seen at 'alarming levels,' according to experts. 'Girls as young as 19 are coming to us with menopause or extremely poor ovarian reserve,' says Dr. Rishma Pai, consulting gynaecologist at Lilavati and PD Hinduja Hospitals. 'This wasn't something we saw even a few years ago. It's now common and very concerning.' Dr. Vaishali Sharma, senior IVF specialist, adds that in many of these women, periods may still be regular, but their fertility potential is severely compromised. 'It's not always about whether a woman is menstruating. Many still get their periods, but have almost no viable eggs left. Natural conception becomes very difficult, and IVF outcomes are also affected," she says. While genetics plays a key role in very young cases, experiencing menopause in late 20s and early 30s can be linked to chronic stress, poor sleep, crash diets, smoking, and exposure to environmental toxins. These lifestyle and environmental factors can disrupt hormonal balance and accelerate ovarian ageing. Timely evaluation is key. According to Dr. Muktesh, overuse of emergency contraception, long hours of sitting, excessive caffeine, smoking or vaping, and routine exposure to chemicals in packaged food, beauty products, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and cosmetics can play a role. AWARENESS AND EARLY TESTING Doctors unanimously agree that early testing and lifestyle changes are critical. 'Women with a family history of early menopause, PCOS, or irregular cycles should test their fertility by their late 20s,' says Dr. Miktesh. Lifestyle adjustments can also make a difference. 'Good sleep, stress management, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking and crash diets are key to protecting ovarian health. Even small changes like reducing plastic use, limiting packaged foods, and cutting down caffeine, and emergency contraceptives can help preserve fertility," says Dr. Aakriti Batra, fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility. In cases where fertility is already lost due to early menopause, donor egg IVF remains the most effective treatment. 'It has a success rate of nearly 80%,' says Dr. Sharma. 'While acceptance is difficult for some couples, it allows women to carry and deliver their own baby, even if genetically it's not their egg.' 'Fertility is no longer just about age, it's about the environment your ovaries are functioning in,' says Dr. Muktesh. Despite the advancements in reproductive medicine, early menopause and DOR remain poorly understood by the general public. 'Most women think they can have children well into their 40s. But the truth is, ovarian ageing can start much earlier. And we now have the tools to catch itâ€'if only more women knew," says Dr. Pai. Once considered a concern for women in their late 40s, declining fertility is now impacting women in their 20s. Doctors across India are reporting a sharp rise in cases of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and early menopause, fuelled by modern lifestyles, environmental factors, and lack of timely awareness. 'We are now regularly seeing women under 30 with alarmingly low AMH levels,' says Dr Beena Muktesh, Clinical Director, IVF, Motherhood Fertility & IVF, adding how this early decline in ovarian reserve is altering the fertility landscape entirely. WHAT IS DIMINISHED OVARIAN RESERVE OR EARLY MENOPAUSE? Diminished ovarian reserve refers to a reduction in the quantity and quality of a woman's eggs, which can make conception difficult both naturally and through IVF. The Anti-Mllerian Hormone (AMH) blood test and antral follicle count via ultrasound are the most reliable tools to measure ovarian reserve. A low AMH level can indicate declining fertility even before symptoms appear. In many cases, the decline starts silently. WHY ARE SO MANY YOUNG WOMEN AFFECTED? The rise in early menopause, where the ovaries stop functioning before age 40, is now being seen at 'alarming levels,' according to experts. 'Girls as young as 19 are coming to us with menopause or extremely poor ovarian reserve,' says Dr. Rishma Pai, consulting gynaecologist at Lilavati and PD Hinduja Hospitals. 'This wasn't something we saw even a few years ago. It's now common and very concerning.' Dr. Vaishali Sharma, senior IVF specialist, adds that in many of these women, periods may still be regular, but their fertility potential is severely compromised. 'It's not always about whether a woman is menstruating. Many still get their periods, but have almost no viable eggs left. Natural conception becomes very difficult, and IVF outcomes are also affected," she says. While genetics plays a key role in very young cases, experiencing menopause in late 20s and early 30s can be linked to chronic stress, poor sleep, crash diets, smoking, and exposure to environmental toxins. These lifestyle and environmental factors can disrupt hormonal balance and accelerate ovarian ageing. Timely evaluation is key. According to Dr. Muktesh, overuse of emergency contraception, long hours of sitting, excessive caffeine, smoking or vaping, and routine exposure to chemicals in packaged food, beauty products, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and cosmetics can play a role. AWARENESS AND EARLY TESTING Doctors unanimously agree that early testing and lifestyle changes are critical. 'Women with a family history of early menopause, PCOS, or irregular cycles should test their fertility by their late 20s,' says Dr. Miktesh. Lifestyle adjustments can also make a difference. 'Good sleep, stress management, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking and crash diets are key to protecting ovarian health. Even small changes like reducing plastic use, limiting packaged foods, and cutting down caffeine, and emergency contraceptives can help preserve fertility," says Dr. Aakriti Batra, fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility. In cases where fertility is already lost due to early menopause, donor egg IVF remains the most effective treatment. 'It has a success rate of nearly 80%,' says Dr. Sharma. 'While acceptance is difficult for some couples, it allows women to carry and deliver their own baby, even if genetically it's not their egg.' 'Fertility is no longer just about age, it's about the environment your ovaries are functioning in,' says Dr. Muktesh. Despite the advancements in reproductive medicine, early menopause and DOR remain poorly understood by the general public. 'Most women think they can have children well into their 40s. But the truth is, ovarian ageing can start much earlier. And we now have the tools to catch itâ€'if only more women knew," says Dr. Pai. Join our WhatsApp Channel
India Today
5 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Menopause before 30 is rising: What it means for fertility and how IVF helps
When Priya walked into a fertility clinic, she looked like any other hopeful parent-to-be. But behind the composed exterior was a woman shaken by a diagnosis she never saw coming: early a year ago, Priya had regular periods and no major health issues. Like many millennial couples, she and her husband decided to delay starting a family. But when her periods became irregular, her moods unpredictable, and that elusive positive pregnancy test never came, she sensed something was blood tests revealed the blow: her ovarian reserve had plummeted. At just 29, she was already going through premature ovarian failure: commonly called early menopause.'I didn't even know menopause could happen this early,' Priya recalled. 'I thought I had time.'After some emotional soul-searching and several second opinions, Priya opted for donor egg IVF. Today, she has a baby girl in her arms — a child she carried and delivered, even though the egg came from another journey, though difficult, ended in joy. But it also raises bigger questions: What exactly is early menopause? Why is it happening to younger women? And why are so few people talking about it?EARLY MENOPAUSE, AND WHY IS IT HAPPENING SO YOUNG?Premature menopause, or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), occurs when a woman's ovaries stop functioning before age not the same as natural menopause, which typically begins around 45 to 55. In POI, either the number or the quality of eggs declines sharply, affecting Vaishali Sharma, senior IVF specialist, who also helped Priya through the process, said that there are many potential causes. Premature menopause, or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), occurs when a woman's ovaries stop functioning before age 40. () 'It could be genetics, exposure to radiation or chemotherapy, autoimmune disorders, or even lifestyle habits like smoking and alcohol. Often, it's genetic — if your mother had early menopause, you may be at risk too," Dr. Sharma tells adds that some women continue to menstruate while having very low ovarian reserve, which could be deceptive.A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST CAN SAVE HEARTACHEDetecting low ovarian reserve has become more precise. The AMH test (Anti-Mllerian Hormone) and antral follicle count via ultrasound, can help explains Dr. Rishma Pai, consulting gynaecologist at Lilavati Hospital, PD Hinduja Hospital, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.'These are accessible tests that tell us how many eggs a woman has left. Earlier, we relied on hormone levels like FSH, but by then the damage was often done," Dr. Pai tells women in their 20s are showing signs of premature ovarian insufficiency, and the reasons remain toxins, late pregnancies, subtle genetic conditions - it's a cocktail of factors.'We've had women as young as 19 with full-blown menopause,' she says. 'It's heartbreaking but mostly, that young means it is genetics.'WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE DIAGNOSED?The first reaction is often shock - followed by grief.'It's devastating,' says Dr Vaishali Sharma. 'Especially when a woman hasn't had children yet. Many patients cry when they hear the diagnosis. It feels like their dreams have just been pulled away.'But while the ovaries may go offline, hope doesn't have to.'In such cases, donor egg IVF is the best option. We take an egg from a healthy donor, fertilise it with the husband's sperm, and transfer the embryo into the woman's uterus," she WHAT ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF USING DONOR EGGS?Yes, accepting a donor egg is tough. More women in their 20s are showing signs of premature ovarian insufficiency, and the reasons remain murky. () advertisement'Even educated women hesitate. Some worry about genetics, some fear judgment. But we always remind them, this is their child in every way that matters. They carry it, they nourish it, they raise it," admits Dr had the same doubts. 'It took me time,' she said. 'But I kept coming back to one thing, do I still want to be a mother? The answer was always yes.'HOW SUCCESSFUL IS DONOR EGG IVF?According to both doctors, the success rate of donor egg IVF is high, up to 80%, especially when eggs are from young, healthy donors.'Once we eliminate the egg problem, the rest is usually smooth. It's one of the most successful fertility treatments available," says Dr. no, it's not a one-shot guarantee.'Even with IVF, it may take a couple of cycles. Natural conception has just a 10% success rate per month. IVF multiplies that several times, but patience is still needed," Dr Pai COST FACTOR: IS IT AFFORDABLE?Donor egg IVF isn't cheap, costs can reach Rs 3 lakh or more, depending on the clinic and medicines used.'The injections are the costliest part. But Indian-made versions help bring the price down. The key is not just affordability, it's quality. Poor handling of eggs can ruin the cycle," says Dr Pai. The AMH test helps estimate a woman's remaining egg supply or ovarian reserve. () Insurance coverage is still rare, so couples usually bear the cost themselves. 'It's an investment, yes, but for many, it's worth it,' Dr Pai AREN'T WE TALKING ABOUT EARLY MENOPAUSE?Here's the part that stings: very few women even know this could happen to them.'There's awareness about IVF, but not about early menopause. Women think they have time, and by the time they realise otherwise, options become limited," says Dr suggests women in their mid-20s consider getting an AMH test, especially if there's a family history or they're delaying as basic as a Pap smear. One simple blood test can give you peace of mind or allow you to plan ahead or even help you to freeze your eggs, which is a great option,' she story may not be typical, but it's not rare medical advancements like egg freezing and donor IVF, early menopause doesn't have to end the dream of suggest having a healthy lifestyle, getting tests done early and planning ahead can help you make faster decisions later in life.- EndsMust Watch
