Researchers: Ovary transplant may extend fertility, delay menopause
Here’s the good news: If you want to have a baby at 65 years old, it looks like we have the technology to do it. But do I think it’s a good idea? No. Recent research shows that it is possible to freeze a piece of young ovarian tissue and implant it later in life, essentially rejuvenating the ovary making natural conception possible and staving off menopause.
This is good news for young women who are cancer survivors and want to preserve their reproductive potential. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to be using this technology in women who want to become pregnant much later in life than nature would permit. The potential side effects of these pregnancies include cardiovascular, renal and liver complications, as well as an increased risk for premature delivery. For women looking to use this technique to minimize menopausal symptoms, they may increase the chances of developing breast and endometrial cancer because of the long exposure to estrogen.