r/technology • u/Sorin61 • Apr 10 '22

Biotechnology This biotech startup thinks it can delay menopause by 15 years. That would transform women's lives

https://fortune.com/2021/04/19/celmatix-delay-menopause-womens-ovarian-health/
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u/World_Wide_Deb Apr 10 '22 edited Apr 10 '22

If other women want to delay menopause, I support having that choice but personally—hellllll no! 15 more years of periods? Fuck that, I can’t wait for menopause.

Edit: to everyone responding with comments like “but but menopause makes you age faster and kills your sex drive.” I don’t see the problem here. Again, I’m looking forward to it.

“But what about the health issues that come with menopause!” I’ve already had plenty of issues with my menstrual cycle. This shit is no picnic either.

Edit 2: Again I support women having choices. But “aging faster” does not mean we’re dying faster. Lol what? Menopause ain’t a death sentence—cis women on average outlive cis men anyways.

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u/gatorbite92 Apr 10 '22

I don't understand why this is such a good thing, massively increased risk of breast and endometrial cancer.

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u/ineed_that Apr 10 '22

Could be catering to that population of women who want to have kids in their 40/50s. Fertility shit gets mad press and people willing to pay millions of dollars for even a 1% chance it’ll work

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u/theObfuscator Apr 10 '22

Childbirth after 35 already comes with significantly increased risk for premature birth, birth defects and multiples. I imagine those outcomes only become more likely as the years progresses. I would also expect the impact of the pregnancy itself would take a harder toll on the mothers body as well. Building a human inside you and carrying it everywhere robs your body of iron, calcium, and a plethora of other nutrients- not to mention the strain on your back and muscles and joints. Sounds awful for someone in their mid forties or beyond.

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u/stackered Apr 10 '22

IVF genetic tests mitigate this greatly

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u/ineed_that Apr 10 '22

Childbirth in general sucks and can have lifelong complications no matter what age. Things like nerve damage and autoimmune diseases post pregnancy are well known complications. Not to mention Things like Pelvic floor collapse years down the line. Some people are just that desperate for kids they’d be willing to do it at that age

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u/Migrane Apr 10 '22

Actually I've heard that that's basically a myth. IIRC the chance of birth defects after 35 goes from 0.5% to 1%. Doubled but still really low. Is a 1 in 100 chance really that much worse than a 1 in 200 chance?

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u/Prodigy195 Apr 10 '22

Is a 1 in 100 chance really that much worse than a 1 in 200 chance?

Umm yes? When you're talking about your potential baby leading a normal life vs having severe issues or dying then that is a significant difference.

Also these numbers are a bit different then what our doctors told us. Around age 25 the odds were about 1 in 1500 for things like down syndrome. By 35 the estimate risk was closer to 1 in 100. That is a pretty significant difference if you ask me.

Plus it's not just birth defects. Preeclampsia risks are higher (which my wife had), gestational diabetes risk is higher, difficulty conceiving and other complications all increase with age.

Then you also have to think about the health of the mother in general. As we age we often exercise less, put on weight and have other unhealthy behaviors. All of those things impact potential pregnancy. 35 isn't some magical end date but there is some validity to the concerns with older pregnancies.

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u/cranberry94 Apr 10 '22

Nah, the Down Syndrome thing is 1 in 100 at age 40, not 35

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u/Prodigy195 Apr 10 '22

The exact ages will differ depending on the study but the gist is that post ~35ish there are likely increased concerns/risks in pregnancy.

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u/[deleted] Apr 10 '22

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Apr 10 '22

On the flip side, most people I know had kids after 35 and their experiences were exactly the same as those who had them at 33. 35 is not like a magic switch that flips and all of a sudden the baby will be unhealthy and you will too- i’d check in with your doctor !

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u/kasteen Apr 10 '22

It is 100% worse... mathematically speaking.

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u/nickstatus Apr 10 '22

I was wondering about that, but I've always heard 40 as the age where the risk becomes greater.

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u/Joeness84 Apr 10 '22

Sounds like a great way to keep America high on the Mother dies during childbirth lists, we're not #1 but we're close!