A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism shows that measuring levels of the hormones AMH, FSH and inhibin B combined with a woman's age, can predict the timing of menopause. The hope is that this information can give women more specifics about the timing of their individual "biological clocks" and allow them to plan pregnancy accordingly.
The Guardian reports that although these hormones have been measurable for some time, the data was insufficient to connect exact levels to exact timing of fertility drop-off.
Perhaps this is the end of wondering why some women go on having babies with ease into their early forties and others seem to have all kinds of difficulty conceiving after 35. I'd much rather have a test that can pinpoint individual odds of conceiving than public service announcements telling women they'd better get home and start having babies before it's too late.
About Shannon LC Cate
Shannon LC Cate, PhD is a lesbian housewife and work-from-home mother of two girls via domestic, open, transracial adoption. They are both under five and already too brilliant and beautiful for their own good. Shannon lives, writes and assembles tricycles in Chicago, Illinois.
