What if having a period only a few times a year could help preserve fertility? Scientists are exploring whether reducing the number of ovulations over a woman's lifetime could slow the decline of the egg supply.
Chinese biologist Hongmei Wang is among researchers investigating whether suppressing ovulation could help extend reproductive years. Her work, conducted through studies involving animal models and early-stage reproductive research, is part of a broader effort to understand ovarian aging and declining birth rates.
Wang's research centers on the question of whether fewer menstrual cycles could mean fewer lost eggs and a longer fertility window.
Women Are Born With a Limited Egg Supply
Unlike sperm production, which continues throughout much of a man's life, women are born with a finite number of eggs. The egg supply, also known as ovarian reserve, gradually decreases from birth through puberty and eventually reaches a point where menopause occurs.
Fertility naturally declines with age, particularly after the mid-30s, as both the number and quality of eggs decrease.
Although hundreds of thousands of immature eggs are present at birth, only a small fraction will ever mature and be released during ovulation. Most eggs are naturally lost through a process called atresia, where unused eggs break down over time.
Each menstrual cycle typically recruits multiple eggs, but only one becomes dominant and is released during ovulation.
Could Fewer Ovulations Slow Ovarian Aging?
The idea behind reducing ovulation is based on a simple biological theory: If ovulation consumes part of the ovarian reserve, fewer ovulatory cycles could potentially preserve more eggs for later years.
Wang has explored whether delaying ovulation and menopause could be a future strategy to extend reproductive lifespan. In experiments, her team has studied approaches including stem cell research and methods that could influence ovarian function.
She has also raised the possibility of allowing women to menstruate less frequently, such as every three months, as a way to reduce the number of ovulations. The concept remains experimental and has not been established as a fertility-preserving treatment.
However, the relationship between ovulation, menstruation, and egg loss is not as straightforward as simply "saving" eggs.
The Estrogen Problem
One of the biggest challenges with suppressing ovulation is its effect on hormones, particularly estrogen.
Estrogen plays a critical role beyond reproduction. The hormone helps maintain bone density, supports cardiovascular health, and influences several systems throughout the body.
"If we inhibit ovulation, we can preserve available eggs, but at the same time, we inhibit the production of estrogen," Wang told EL PAÍS, highlighting the potential health consequences of extending reproductive life through hormonal suppression.
A prolonged reduction in estrogen could increase risks associated with menopause, including bone loss and changes in heart health.
Fertility Preservation Is Moving Beyond Egg Freezing
Current fertility preservation options, such as egg freezing, allow some women to store eggs for potential future use. However, these methods do not stop ovarian aging or prevent the natural decline in egg quality over time.
Researchers are investigating other approaches, including stem cell-based therapies aimed at restoring ovarian function. Wang's team has studied reproductive biology using animal models and conducted early research involving women with premature ovarian failure, though these approaches remain experimental.
A Longer Fertility Window May Still Be Years Away
While the idea of delaying menopause or reducing ovulation may sound promising, scientists emphasize that human reproductive aging is influenced by many factors, including genetics, hormones, and overall health.
Extending fertility is not only a scientific challenge but also raises ethical and medical questions about how far reproduction should be altered.
Researchers continue to study and understand the complex biology of the ovary to determine whether slowing the clock on reproductive aging is possible without creating new health risks.
