In recent years, a growing number of people have been waiting longer to start families. Various reasons contribute to this trend, yet it presents significant challenges, especially for women over the age of 35, as fertility declines around this age. However, new research brings a glimmer of hope with a drug that could extend female fertility by five years.

The Promising Drug: Rapamycin

Researchers at Columbia University in the US are conducting a study on the potential of rapamycin, an existing immunosuppressant drug used to treat tumors and prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant recipients. The study named the Validating Benefits of Rapamycin for Reproductive Aging Treatment (Vibrant), explores whether rapamycin can slow ovarian aging, extend fertility, delay menopause, and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.

‘The results of this study… are very, very exciting. It means that those with age-related fertility problems now have hope when before, they didn’t,’ Yousin Suh, a professor of reproductive sciences and professor of genetics and development at Columbia University and co-lead on the study, told the Guardian.

Exciting Early Results

Early results of the study have shown that rapamycin is safe for young and healthy women, potentially decreasing ovary aging by 20% without the common side effects of high blood pressure, infections, headaches, and nausea. Participants in the study reported improvements in energy levels, memory, and skin and hair quality, aligning with other research suggesting that rapamycin could increase lifespan by 9-14% by revitalizing organs as they age.

Professor Yousin Suh, a co-lead on the study, expressed excitement about these findings, emphasizing the hope it brings to those with age-related fertility problems. The vision is for women in their 30s and older to have more freedom over when they choose to have children, potentially extending the lifespan and improving the health and quality of life for many women.

How Rapamycin Works

The study indicates that a small weekly dose of rapamycin causes the ovaries to release fewer eggs each month, reducing the average number from around 50 to approximately 15. This reduction is the basis for the estimated 20% decrease in ovarian aging.

Future Prospects and Availability

Rapamycin is a cheap, widely-used drug, making the potential for rapid progress high once sufficient evidence supports its use for ovarian aging. However, funding has been historically challenging due to the drug’s off-patent status, which limits the financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies.

More research is necessary before rapamycin could be available for this use. The study is expected to report results from a larger phase 2 study in two years, followed by a phase 3 trial before the drug could hypothetically become available to prescribers.

The potential of rapamycin to extend female fertility and delay menopause marks a significant breakthrough in reproductive health. While more research is needed, the early results are promising and bring hope to many women seeking to have children later in life. This development represents a paradigm shift in how menopause and fertility are approached, with the potential to improve the quality of life and health for countless women.

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