Researchers at Northwestern Medicine have found a way to stop the ovaries from changing as they get older, which could increase a woman's "healthspan" and ovarian function. The results, which were published in the journal GeroScience, show that Pirfenidone can control ovarian fibrosis in mice, which could lead to improvements in reproductive and general health for women in the future.

The term "healthspan" refers to the period of life during which an individual is healthy and free of significant illness. Extending ovarian function could have a big influence, but the long-term consequences should be carefully examined. 

Dr. Francesca Duncan, the study's lead author and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, highlighted the purpose for this study: "The average age of menopause has remained constant over time, although women are surviving for decades longer due to health and medical breakthroughs. We've altered the terrain of how we live, and our ovarian function must catch up so that we have an organ that operates proportionately to extend women's healthspans." 

The researchers treated mice with Pirfenidone, a medicine often used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and discovered that it reduced ovarian scarring. Mice receiving the therapy had more follicles, improved ovulation, and normal hormone levels. While these findings are encouraging, Duncan stressed that pirfenidone is not appropriate for clinical usage due to major adverse effects such as liver damage, which was not detected in the mice. This work demonstrates the ability to modulate ovarian fibrosis, providing proof of concept. Ongoing research focuses on identifying safer alternatives for human usage. 

The potential long-term advantages of extending ovarian output are numerous. One obvious advantage is increased hormone production. As women age, their oestrogen and progesterone levels fall, causing rapid bone loss, and an increased risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. 

Duncan stated, "If you improve the ovarian environment, you solve all of the problems because you have follicles and eggs that can contribute to fertility and hormone production." It's addressing the root of the problem." 

Extending ovarian function may alleviate many of the symptoms associated with menopause, including vaginal dryness, urinary problems, and mood swings. This could improve women's quality of life in their senior years. 

Prolonged ovarian function may have an impact on fertility. Currently, techniques such as egg freezing offer a temporary option for women experiencing age-related fertility reductions. However, Duncan stated that transplanting embryos into an elderly woman still carries hazards. The ability to maintain a better ovarian environment may help to alleviate these difficulties.

Despite the positive results, increasing ovarian production comes with numerous issues and risks. One substantial risk is that of developing ovarian cancer. Duncan's prior research found that when ovaries age, they become inflammatory, fibrotic, and stiff, producing an environment that may promote the formation of cancer cells. Prolonging ovarian function may unintentionally increase the opportunity for cancer cells to flourish in a collagen-rich environment. 

Moreover, while prolonging fertility is one of the study's findings, Duncan stated that it is not the ultimate goal. "We are likely to expand the fruitful window, but that is not the study's ultimate purpose. "Not everyone is concerned about having children," she stated. 

The primary goal is to optimise the ovarian environment for hormone production, but the ethical concerns of extending fertility should be carefully considered. Extending a woman's reproductive years may raise cultural expectations to postpone motherhood further, complicating both personal and medical decisions. 

Pregnancy at an older age carries severe health hazards. Women who give birth later in life are more prone to developing complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and other dangers to both mother and child. 

The study suggests a viable approach to enhancing women's health span by targeting the underlying cause of ovarian ageing. However, extending ovarian function raises both possible benefits and problems. Improved hormone production could avoid a variety of age-related health problems, but extending fertility may carry ethical and medical hazards. More research is needed to develop safe and effective treatments for humans, but this study suggests rethinking how ovarian function affects long-term health.