Hormone makes older women have more twins: study
Key points
- Older women are more likely to conceive twins because rising concentrations of a naturally occurring hormone over-stimulate their ovaries, according to a new study.
- The discovery by a team of scientists from Amsterdam's Vrije Universiteit, revealed in Thursday's edition of the journal Human Reproduction, solves a riddle that has been perplexing the medical profession for years.
- "The findings give credence to previous theories that the rising concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that occur as women age can cause some ovaries to go into overdrive, tripping them into a state where they have simultaneous double ovulation," they said.
- Identical twins come from a fertilized egg dividing to develop two babies.
Older women are more likely to conceive twins because rising concentrations of a naturally occurring hormone over-stimulate their ovaries, according to a new study.
The discovery by a team of scientists from Amsterdam's Vrije Universiteit, revealed in Thursday's edition of the journal Human Reproduction, solves a riddle that has been perplexing the medical profession for years.
"The findings give credence to previous theories that the rising concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that occur as women age can cause some ovaries to go into overdrive, tripping them into a state where they have simultaneous double ovulation," they said.
Identical twins come from a fertilized egg dividing to develop two babies. Non-identical twins occur when two eggs are fertilized at the same time.
One of the researchers, Cornelius Lambalk, said the discovery helps explain why there is a surge in the number of non-identical twins born to older women when their general state of fertility is declining due to age.
"This rise has not been entirely due to treatment for infertility," he said.
"About half of the increase has been caused by the number of spontaneous multiple pregnancies probably due to the fact that women are delaying childbirth to a later age."
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Pregnancy & Fertility →
NewsPregnant women with high/low BMI are at higher risk of complications and hospital admissions
Pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) that is too high or too low are more likely to have maternal complications, require additional hospital care and incur higher medical costs, according to a new study published…
18 September 2013
NewsChildbirth risks not the same for all obese women
Obesity raises the chances of complications and medical interventions in childbirth. But a new study by Oxford University shows the risks are not the same for all obese women. For otherwise healthy women, the increase…
11 September 2013
NewsIodine in bread not enough for pregnant women
Research from the University of Adelaide shows that iodized salt used in bread is not enough to provide healthy levels of iodine for pregnant women and their unborn children. The study - led by researchers from the…
