Leading doctors have told a conference how successful ovarian transplants have led to births and could delay the menopause ‘indefinitely’.
The technique, which removes pieces of ovary, stores it then replaces it through delicate surgery could givewomen who have delayed having a baby a ‘fertility insurance policy’ and help them avoid the increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease which comes with the menopause.
The conference heard how 28 babies have been born to patients who either had their ovarian tissue removed then replaced or were donated tissue by a twin.
The majority of these children were conceived without the need for IVF.
In Belgium a woman gave birth after her ovarian tissue was frozen for 10 years.
Surgeon Dr Sherman Silber, says: ‘A woman born today has a 50 per cent chance of living to 100. That means they are going to be spending half of their lives post-menopause.
‘But you could have grafts removed as a young woman and then have the first replaced as you approach menopausal age. You could then put a slice back every decade.
‘Some women might want to go through the menopause, but others might not.’
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Ovarian transplants could delay the menopause indefinitely
By Natasha Wynarczyk - Thursday 5 July 2012
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