The Drug That Might Delay Menopause and Boost Fertility—What the Latest Study Reveals

A recent study has suggested that rapamycin may delay ovarian aging, extend the reproductive period, and postpone menopause.

With many individuals opting to delay childbirth until their 30s, fertility tends to decline sharply after age 35, making conception more complex compared to younger ages. Women are born with approximately 2 million immature eggs in their ovaries and start menstruating during puberty, releasing one or more mature eggs each month. Menopause begins when these eggs are depleted, and ovulation ceases.

A woman in her 20s has an 85% chance of becoming pregnant within a year, but this probability drops to 66% by age 35 and further declines to 40-44% over time. This decline is primarily due to the aging of ovaries and eggs.

Rapamycin, also known as sirolimus (marketed as Rapamune), is an inhibitor of the mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates cell growth and metabolism. Although currently approved by the FDA for preventing organ rejection after transplants and for cancer treatment, rapamycin has recently garnered attention for its potential anti-aging properties.

Animal studies have demonstrated that rapamycin can extend lifespan and delay age-related diseases. Short-term treatment with rapamycin has also been shown to prolong the lifespan of mouse ovaries.

In a preliminary study, researchers investigated the effects of rapamycin on ovarian aging in 50 women aged 35 to 45. These participants, all in stage 3a of reproductive aging (just before menopause), were given either 5 mg of rapamycin or a placebo orally once a week for 12 weeks. The study used transvaginal ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve and blood tests to measure ovarian hormones.

The research team found that weekly rapamycin treatment could reduce ovarian aging by up to 20% without significant side effects. They estimated that rapamycin could potentially extend reproductive capability by up to five years, addressing fertility concerns for women over 35. Participants also reported improvements in overall health, memory, vitality, and skin and hair condition during treatment.

Given the small sample size, the researchers plan to conduct further studies to evaluate rapamycin’s long-term safety and efficacy. There are concerns, however, that extending ovarian function and delaying menopause might increase cancer risks. Menopause naturally reduces the risk of hormone-related cancers like breast and ovarian cancer by lowering estrogen levels.

Experts emphasize that while rapamycin may offer benefits in terms of ovarian function and fertility, careful consideration is needed regarding its impact on pregnancy outcomes, fetal development, and potential genetic defects.