Anti-Aging Medicine and Reproductive Health

Abstract

Given that ovarian function declines with age, older women occasionally experience health or fertility problems. Functional change is influenced by physical, mental, oxidative, and glycation stresses, which may lead to a decline in the secretion of hormones, such as melatonin, growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Many different factors influence the degradation of ovarian function, and the proper treatment depends on the accurate identification of each patient’s condition. Potential degradation mechanisms include the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) by glycation stress, and the activation of receptors for AGEs. Accumulated evidence has suggested that in vitro fertilization success rate can be increased on administration of melatonin and DHEA, or glycation stress therapy, to patients with poor ovarian function. The provision of advanced medical technology to rejuvenate ovarian function should be combined with prophylactic lifestyle guidance, such as that developed by Anti-Aging Medicine, to treat the underlying causes of ovarian functional decline. Here, we review the application of Anti-Aging Medicine to aspects of reproductive medicine.