Post-menopausal Ovaries Remain Biologically Active, New Research Shows

Research by Francesca Duncan, a reproductive biologist at Northwestern University, shows that post-menopausal ovaries are far from dormant, displaying age-specific protein profiles in women between 50 and 75 years old. Comparative work in mice demonstrated that, as the organ ages, genes linked to inflammation and immune function become more active and immune cells accumulate. These changes raise questions about whether the aging ovary contributes to conditions such as ovarian cancer or systemic inflammation.

Other experts note that even low levels of ovarian hormones after menopause affect bone, muscle, libido, and brain function, and that removal of ovaries post-menopause may increase health risks. Ongoing investigations aim to determine whether the organ’s later-life activity is protective, harmful, or a mix of both, and how it might influence overall female health during aging.