Ovaries Undergo Biological Changes After Menopause That May Raise Cancer Risk

For years it was assumed that once menopause begins, the ovaries stop functioning and no longer play an important role in the body. But new research by scientists shows the story is more complex: ovaries undergo significant changes even after the end of the reproductive years, which may affect women's health and the aging process.

For many years, it was thought that with the onset of menopause, the ovaries stop functioning and no longer play an important role in the body. But the new research of scientists shows that the story is more complicated than this, and the ovaries experience important changes even after the end of the reproductive period, which may affect the health and aging process of women.

According to the selection report and quoted by Science Alert; Researchers say that the ovaries are not only reproductive organs, but are also connected to other organs such as the brain and bones. This connection could help explain some of the health problems women face after menopause, including bone problems.

How do the ovaries change after menopause?

In this study, scientists investigated the changes in the proteins of this organ by examining the ovarian tissue of 28 postmenopausal women in different age groups.

The results showed that the ovaries experience certain changes with age. In women aged 50 to 59, proteins related to the regulation of gene activity and maintenance of cell structure were seen more. On the contrary, in women over 70 years old, proteins related to fat metabolism, immune system function and inflammation were more abundant.

These findings show that the ovaries do not necessarily become inactive after the end of the reproductive period, but their biological activity changes with age.

Correlation of ovarian changes with cancer

One of the important findings of this research was the identification of changes in the ovarian tissue that may contribute to the increased risk of ovarian cancer at older ages.

As we age, changes related to inflammation and connective tissue in the ovaries can create an environment that is more suitable for cancer cells to grow. The researchers also identified proteins previously associated with ovarian cancer that were more abundant in some samples, particularly in women over 60 years old.

Of course, the samples examined in this study were not cancerous, and these findings do not mean that postmenopausal women have cancer; Rather, they can help to better identify factors that increase the risk of this disease.

Researchers hope that a better understanding of ovarian changes in old age will help identify new biomarkers for ovarian cancer and find ways to reduce its risk.

These findings can also be effective in better understanding the health of women after menopause and the consequences of surgical removal of the ovaries.

The main conclusion is that the ovaries are not simply inactive organs after menopause; Rather, they change with age and may continue to affect the health of other parts of the body.

The results of this research have been published in the scientific journal Aging Cell.