Health consequences of reproductive aging: a commentary.
This commentary discusses the intersection of human ovarian and somatic aging. It argues for re-contextualizing estrogen's role in and impact on ovarian aging and, more broadly, on women's health, considering in particular the importance of timing, dose, and the broader endocrine milieu. Distinguishing between current clinical needs and optimizing women's future options, the paper outlines an approach to broadening the research agenda to better understand the role of ovarian aging in supporting the metabolic demands of longevity. Three overarching issues important to consider explicitly as we pursue research on the health correlates of reproductive aging are discussed, including implications of a lifespan approach, population diversity, and selection bias.
Harlow
Siobán D
SD
Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, USA. harlow@umich.edu
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D016387:Women's Health