|
Overview of the Hormonal Mechanism of Menopause
The definition of menopause is not having a menstrual period for 12 consecutive
months.
In terms of the body it is ovarian failure. 
Normal ovulation is explained in the figure on the right. It is important to
understand the normal physiology of mensturation to understand the changes in
menopause. For more detailed explanation of ovulation, follow this link: http://www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/hrt/hrt_menstr_hormone.htm
Hormonally during menopause, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels rise in
response to lower amounts of estrogen. The lower amounts of estrogen are caused
by the failure of a mature follicle to rupture and develop a corpus luteum. The
corpus luteum is responsible for the production of progesterone and estrogen
necessary to build up the uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg.
Menopause tests measure the amount of FSH in a woman’s urine. If the woman is
entering menopause, the FSH will be elevated.
This drop in estrogen and progesterone leads to changes in a woman’s menstrual
cycles including amount of flow, duration of bleeding and length of time between
periods. The
lack of normal amounts of estrogen gives rise to all the familiar discomforts of
menopause, from hot flushes and insomnia to depression and palpitations.
|
