The ovary doesn’t retire after menopause

Study in human ovaries found they have increased inflammation, structural changes in tissue decades after menopause

CHICAGO — Contrary to popular belief, the postmenopausal ovary is not defunct.

In a new, paradigm-shifting study in ovaries from 28 women, scientists at Northwestern University and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging found in the decades well past menopause, the ovary remains biologically active and continues to remodel with age, showing increased inflammation and changes in tissue structure. The study also found a molecular link between ovarian aging and cancer.

The study was published Oct. 14 in Aging Cell .