A wave of new research is overturning long-held beliefs about the ovary, showing it as more than just a reproductive organ. Scientists now argue that the ovary plays a central, underappreciated role in shaping women’s overall health and longevity, influencing everything from cardiovascular and bone health to brain function and life expectancy. As groundbreaking findings emerge, experts are calling for greater focus on this overlooked organ—a call that carries important implications for Thai women across the lifespan.
For years, discussions about the ovary have mostly centered around fertility and menopause. Yet research highlighted in a recent USA TODAY report underscores that the ovary ages much faster than other organs, and that its decline triggers a cascade of changes that increase women’s risk for age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and autoimmune conditions. This scientific shift is especially relevant in Thailand, where rising life expectancy means more women are spending a greater portion of their lives in post-menopausal years.
Studies have shown that while women, including those in Thailand, tend to outlive men, they often spend more years living with chronic diseases and disabilities. One pivotal study in the Journal of the American Heart Association uncovered that women who enter menopause earlier are at higher risk of dying from cardiovascular events than those with a later menopause onset. Similarly, women who reach menopause later are more likely to live past 90, and those with longer reproductive timelines are better protected against progressive neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, as noted in a study in Brain Communications. These trends highlight how ovarian health is a key determinant of not just longevity, but also quality of life.
To understand why, it’s important to look at the remarkable biology of the ovary. At birth, a female’s ovaries contain up to two million follicles, yet only a fraction—about 400 to 500—will ever mature and release eggs. The rest serve vital roles by producing hormones that act on nearly every tissue in the body, from bones to the brain, influencing metabolism, mood, vascular health, and immune response. As research by experts at institutions like the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and Northwestern University reveals, the ovarian “symphony” of hormones such as estrogen, estradiol, and progesterone orchestrates cycles of wellness that, when disrupted by aging, echo through the entire body.
As follicles are depleted and ovarian hormone production wanes, typically starting in the 40s, women enter a period known as perimenopause. This phase can last for a decade and comes with a myriad of symptoms—estimates suggest as many as 135 distinct symptoms are linked to hormonal shifts during this time, including hot flashes, insomnia, mood disturbance, and cognitive “brain fog.” When menstruation ceases for 12 months, menopause is officially reached, often bringing increased risk of heart disease, bone loss, and metabolic disorders.
Thailand’s demographic shift towards an aging society intensifies these health considerations. According to the National Statistical Office of Thailand, by 2030, nearly one in four Thais will be over the age of 60—most of them women who will spend significant years post-menopause. National health data already show that osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease rates rise sharply in postmenopausal women, while studies on Thai populations link early menopause to poorer health outcomes and higher healthcare costs (Thai Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology). Given these realities, greater public awareness and improved gynecological screening could help identify women at risk and reduce long-term health burdens.
Expert voices emphasize that delaying ovarian aging—if safely possible—could offer women not just longer, but healthier lives. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University, cited in the USA TODAY feature, argues that “health span really has to include reproductive function,” advocating for research that targets the causes and consequences of ovarian decline. Similarly, researchers at the Center for Healthy Aging in Women stress that the framing of ovaries strictly as reproductive organs “has really made women’s health small. We need to make it clear that we’re talking about the health of women, period.”
The fall in estrogen at menopause has measurable impacts: women may lose up to 20% of bone density in the first five years post-menopause, making fractures more common—a risk especially relevant in Thailand, where hip fracture rates in elderly women are rising (PubMed). Estrogen also supports cardiovascular health by expanding blood vessels, lowering inflammation, and helping regulate cholesterol levels. Once estrogen declines, the risk of heart disease climbs; indeed, cardiovascular disease becomes the leading cause of death among Thai women over 60 (World Health Organization), echoing global patterns.
Mental health and cognitive decline are similarly tied to changes in ovarian hormones. Thai studies from Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University found that women entering menopause earlier had higher rates of depression and cognitive complaints, and international data link early menopause to greater risk of dementia.
But why do ovaries age so rapidly? Scientists point to several factors. The biology of the ovary involves a relentless cycle of follicular recruitment, growth, and decay, with about a thousand follicles starting the maturing process each month, but only one ovulating. Each month, the ovary is left with micro-injuries from the physical release of eggs, making it increasingly stiff and less functional over time. External factors—the timing of menarche, the use of birth control, pregnancy history, body mass index, and lifestyle (smoking, stress, diet)—all influence when the menopausal transition begins.
Efforts to slow ovarian aging and its health impacts are underway, but remain in early stages. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has long been a mainstay for menopausal symptom relief. However, findings from past large-scale studies, such as the Women’s Health Initiative, initially discouraged use due to slight increases in breast cancer and cardiovascular events. More recent reviews clarify that modern HRT—using lower doses and safer administration methods—may be much safer and even beneficial, especially if started closer to menopause and tailored to individual risk (American College of Cardiology). Still, it’s not universally recommended, particularly for women with prior heart disease, and it should always be prescribed and monitored by medical specialists.
Several new therapies are being tested for their potential to protect ovarian health. One focus is the use of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) analogs to slow the depletion of follicles. Another experimental area is repurposing anti-aging drugs such as rapamycin, which has shown some promise in animal studies and early-stage human clinical trials, potentially slowing ovarian aging by up to 20%. Other approaches include ovarian tissue cryopreservation, already used for cancer patients who face early menopause, and molecular therapies that target ovarian fibrosis.
Thailand’s research community is beginning to turn its attention to these issues. Leading Thai specialists in reproductive medicine note the country faces unique challenges: high rates of surgical menopause due to hysterectomy for benign gynecological disease, limited access to HRT in rural areas, social stigma around menopause, and a lack of routine screening for bone density or cardiovascular disease in menopausal age groups. Policy efforts, such as the inclusion of menopause management in primary health care and national campaigns to raise awareness about bone health, are starting to address these gaps, but more work remains to be done (Ministry of Public Health, Thailand).
Access to reliable diagnostics remains an unmet need globally and in Thailand. Medical experts suggest that menstrual cycles themselves can be considered a vital sign for ovarian health. Irregular or absent periods may be early warning signs of underlying hormonal dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, autoimmune conditions, or hidden metabolic problems. Simple blood tests measuring AMH levels and ultrasound counts of antral follicles give snapshots of ovarian reserve but are not widely available or used outside of fertility clinics.
For many Thai women, cultural attitudes towards menopause as a “normal” and even expected stage of life may reduce the perceived need to seek medical advice. However, experts stress this can lead to missed opportunities for prevention and early intervention for osteoporosis, heart disease, and cognitive decline. Traditional remedies, such as use of herbal treatments—including phytoestrogen-rich herbs like Pueraria mirifica—are popular in Thailand, but clinical evidence supporting their safety and efficacy remains limited (National Institutes of Health, Thailand).
Emerging strategies advocate for a personalized approach, where women receive tailored interventions based on their hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle profiles. This vision includes regular monitoring of reproductive hormones, individualized recommendations for hormone therapy, targeted bone, brain, and cardiovascular support, and even advanced options like regenerative medicine or customized molecular therapies—though many of these remain at the research stage.
One of the critical hurdles is lack of funding and emphasis for ovarian aging research, both globally and within Thailand. Initiatives such as AthenaDAO, a decentralized science collective, and other grant programs hope to attract more attention and support to this field, but for now, progress is slow.
Safety concerns also persist about interventions aiming to delay menopause. Extending ovarian function could, for some, increase exposure to hormones that raise the risk of hormone-dependent cancers such as breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancer—a risk that requires careful, individualized risk assessment. Furthermore, as experts point out, the goal is not to simply “extend fertility” for its own sake, but to ensure women benefit from the protective, endocrine functions of the ovary for as long as possible.
For Thailand, where the number of older women is steadily rising, increasing focus on lifelong ovarian health offers hope for both public and personal benefits. Better screening—including routine checks of menstrual history, bone density, blood pressure, and blood sugar—could catch problems early. National health policy should support research, education, and affordable access to modern therapies and diagnostics across urban and rural areas. Empowering women with knowledge about how ovarian health affects all aspects of longevity, and encouraging open discussions about menopause and its management, are essential steps forward.
Thai women—regardless of age—can take several concrete actions now. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercising regularly (especially weight-bearing activities like walking and strength training), managing stress, not smoking, and attending regular health check-ups all help to mitigate the impact of ovarian aging. Women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms should not hesitate to seek advice from experienced gynecologists or menopause specialists—options for symptom management and health protection are expanding, and individualized care is increasingly available.
Ultimately, new research on the ovary’s role in women’s health and healthy aging is both a call to action for the medical and public health community, and an empowering opportunity for Thai women and their families. As one leading expert summarized, understanding and caring for the ovary is not just about fertility—it’s at the heart of women’s well-being throughout life. With Thailand facing a future where older women will increasingly shape society, ensuring that their later years are healthy, active, and fulfilling should be a national priority.
For readers who want to stay proactive: track menstrual cycles as a health indicator, prioritize lifestyle habits that support hormonal and metabolic health, and engage with healthcare professionals when symptoms or concerns arise. Support public calls for women’s health research funding, and help spread awareness of the ovary’s critical, but often neglected, role in lifelong wellness.
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