Post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy Perimenopause and menopause: An overview Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation that marks the end of the natural reproductive lifespan of a woman.1,2 Menopause is characterized by an array of changes in the female body that are a result of deranged reproductive hormonal dynamics. A transitional period marked by accelerated loss of ovarian follicles, called the menopausal transition or perimenopause, is invariably seen prior to menopause. The period commences with the onset of menstrual irregularity (mean age of onset-47.5 years) and can span over several years.3,4 Perimenopause heralds diverse endocrinal changes that lead to near complete cessation of ovarian hormone secretion and menstruation. Amenorrhea for 12 months, secondary to loss of ovarian activity marks the onset of the post-menopausal period. The natural traverse of menopause and post-menopause is typified by several biological and behavioral changes including skeletal derangements, declining sexual and cognitive functions, sleep disturbances…
Cryopreservation: An innovation in reproductive medicine Rapid advancement in the field of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has boosted a parallel increase in the use of cryopreservation techniques for infertile individuals.1 Cryopreservation, in reproductive medicine, is defined as the preservation of structurally intact sperms, oocytes or embryos at ultra-low temperatures.2,3 Although embryo cryopreservation is a widely accepted practice, oocyte cryopreservation is also emerging as an attractive option for fertility preservation.4 The technique is considered an innovation in the arena of ART, particularly as an adjunct to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) owing to its multiple advantages. The possibility to cryopreserve oocytes to be used in IVF treatment has not only expanded the reproductive options for patients undergoing gonadotoxic treatments for cancer, but also holds the promise of preserving the reproductive potential of healthy women whose personal circumstances (most often the absence of a partner) disallow them to conceive in their most fertile years.…
