title: Does poor ovarian response to gonadotrophins predict early menopause? A retrospective cohort study with minimum of 10-year follow-up.
abstract: One in 10 women reach menopause before they are 45 years of age, and 1 in 100 before 40. In most cases, poor ovarian response to gonadotrophins is a result of poor ovarian reserve. An early menopause is associated with long-term health risks. Identifying women at risk may allow appropriate measures to be instigated early. Women aged <40 years treated in the Aberdeen Fertility Centre between 1998 and 2002 were identified. Those with poor response to an age appropriate dose of gonadotrophins (obtaining ≤3 eggs or had cycle cancelled) after exclusion of hypothalamic insufficiency, or whose cycle was cancelled due to poor response were age matched with good responders (6-15 eggs). In this retrospective cohort study, women who have had IVF at least 10 years ago (157 poor responders and 314 good responders) were sent a postal questionnaire to determine age at menopause. A total of 219 women (64 poor responders, 155 good responders) returned their questionnaires. Poor responders were more likely to have premature menopause (3% vs. 0%; p = .024). A higher proportion of poor responders experienced early menopause (11% vs. 3%; p = .044). Despite being the first study with a 10-year follow-up, this study is limited to one centre and has a small number of women reaching premature menopause. Poor response to gonadotrophins in the context of IVF treatment is a marker of reduced ovarian reserve and is associated with early menopause. Results of this study underline the need for larger studies with long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: a Medical School, University of Aberdeen , Aberdeen , UK ;
authors.forename: Natasha A K
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Szmidt
authors.affiliation: b Division of Applied Health Sciences , University of Aberdeen , Aberdeen , UK ;
authors.forename: Siladitya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.affiliation: c Reproductive Medicine & Surgery , Aberdeen Fertility Centre, NHS Grampian , Aberdeen , UK.
authors.forename: Abha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maheshwari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: IVF; Ovarian reserve; early menopause; oocytes; poor response