Innovative approaches to menopause: exploring experimental methods and the potential of PRP therapy
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, but it can pose challenges, impacting well-being with symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and more serious health complications. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been the conventional choice, it may not suit everyone, prompting researchers to explore experimental approaches. One such promising method is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, named even the “Revolutionary Menopausal Reversing Treatment.” In this article, we uncover the potential of PRP therapy in rejuvenating ovaries and providing relief during menopause.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a medical procedure that taps into the remarkable regenerative abilities of our own body. It is quite simple: for the procedure doctor will take a small amount of your venous blood. PRP therapy has been successfully used for many years for joint and muscle treatment, and it was recently proposed that PRP can also help relieve menopausal syndromes, delay menopause, and even restore ovulation.
PRP therapy procedure
So, the PRP therapy process begins by taking a small amount of your blood, around 30 ml. Then, the doctor will centrifugate your blood in a special medical centrifuge. It will help to separate specific blood cells, called platelets, from all other blood components. Platelets have a very important task in our body — to help with wound healing and regeneration. If you cut your finger, platelets will go to the wound to stop bleeding, releasing specific molecules that regenerate damaged tissues. These specific molecules are called growth factors — natural substances crucial in tissue repair and rejuvenation. And we do not need to get wounded to use the platelets’ regenerative power. With PRP, we can apply platelets in the body areas where we need regeneration: skin, joints, muscles, or even ovaries.
Once obtained, the concentrated platelets are injected into specific areas of the body that require healing or revitalization. It can be skin, muscles, or joints. And when we are talking about women’s health — vaginal tissues or ovaries. The beauty of PRP therapy lies in its utilization of the body’s innate healing potential without introducing foreign substances. Derived from your own blood, PRP carries minimal risk of adverse reactions or complications.
Besides healing and rejuvenation, PRP therapy also gives hope to restore ovulation and having a baby even in the perimenopausal period and after menopause onset.
Becoming a Mom after the menopause?
Throughout women’s history, menopause has long been rigidly connected to the loss of fertility and sometimes subjected to derogatory labels like “old age” or the stereotype of being a “grandma.” This perception persists even in modern times, which is deeply unfair considering women’s challenges. Balancing successful careers and dedicated motherhood leads many to delay childbirth until their 40s. But probably, there’s hope on the horizon.
A recent pilot study published this year revealed promising results. PRP administration resulted in the return of the menstrual cycle in 15% of women above 48 years old (253 women were enrolled in the study), and two complication-free pregnancies accompanied it. For the treatment, PRP was injected into the ovaries during the surgery. The most effective procedure was for women who had recently entered menopause. But does PRP application go beyond ovulation restoration? Most probably, yes.
PRP therapy for rewinding the reproductive ageing clock
Reproductive ageing encompasses more than just the challenges of conceiving; it involves significant hormonal changes that trigger various consequences. The abrupt decline in estrogen, a key hormone in women, initiates inflammation, escalating the risk of mood swings, hot flashes, and more severe conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Addressing these negative effects is crucial, and one method is hormone replacement therapy, whether conventional or bioidentical. However, some women avoid using hormone replacement therapy because of its possible complications. PRP therapy can be used in addition to hormonal therapy or separately when there are contraindications to hormone usage.
Interestingly, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), derived from a person’s blood, appears to impact hormonal balance positively. Studies have indicated that PRP injections can elevate estrogen (E2), a vital hormone that declines during perimenopause. The drop in estrogen levels around menopause has been linked to increased inflammation, mood swings, and more serious health risks such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, PRP decreases oxidative stress, a detrimental process that injures the cell components. Thus, PRP can help slow down hormonal changes and alleviate reproductive ageing consequences.
How long does the PRP rejuvenation effect last? Can it reverse menopause for several years? Unfortunately, we don’t have a definite answer yet. While long-term studies on ovarian rejuvenation are still pending, PRP therapy has proven remarkably safe and has been used for various applications since the 1980s. As research continues, we may soon uncover the full extent of PRP’s benefits in addressing reproductive ageing and enhancing women’s well-being.
Reducing unfavorable symptoms
Recent findings have unveiled the impressive potential of PRP therapy in providing much-needed relief during menopause, even though it was initially studied for ovulation renewal. Exciting studies and firsthand accounts highlight its effectiveness in addressing common menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes. It can also help with improving sexual function and reducing urinary incontinence. So PRP therapy offers women a ray of hope amidst the challenges of menopause.
While each organism is unique, understanding and embracing medical advancements become essential on our journey of ageing. In this pursuit, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) holds tremendous promise. With its natural and regenerative properties, PRP offers hope in addressing various aspects of ageing, including reproductive health.
