 |
Ovaries: The ovaries are located on both sides of uterus. In addition to
producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, the ovaries also produce mature
reproductive eggs (ova) that are released each month during ovulation in pre-menopausal
women. If an egg becomes fertilized by sperm while it travels from the ovaries to the
uterus through one of the Fallopian tubes, then it implants itself in the uterus where it
will grow and evolve into a mature baby over the next nine months. If the egg is not
fertilized by sperm, then it breaks down along with the uterine lining and is discarded
during menstruation. Near menopause, the follicles in the ovaries become less responsive
to the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is responsible for preparing the egg for
fertilization. When a woman reaches menopause, her ovaries reduce their production of
estrogen and progesterone which usually results in irregular periods and other symptoms
such as hot flashes, vaginal changes, sleep disturbances, etc.
Normal Female Reproductive Development |
| 8 weeks in utero |
Around 8 weeks after
conception, it is possible to distinguish a female fetus from a male fetus. The female
reproductive organs develop before birth. |
| Age 6 |
As early as age 6,
there are noticeable physical differences between girls and boys. In girls, the buttocks
tend to be rounder, the shoulders are narrower, and the hips are wider. |
| Age 12 |
Age 12 is the average
age of menarche (the first menstrual period). At this age, a girl is about halfway through
puberty, the time when the breasts grow, the hips widen, and pubic hair appears. The onset
of menstruation marks the beginning of the reproductive years. The menstrual periods may
be irregular for the first 1-2 years. |
| Age 18 |
By age 18, most young
women have reached their adult height, weight, and shape. Menstrual periods become more
regular in most women by this time. |
| Ages 44-48 |
As a woman
approaches menopause, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone. This depletion in
hormone levels can cause irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and
other menopausal symptoms. The length of this phase (called perimenopause) and the
associated symptoms varies significantly from woman to woman. |
| Age 50 |
Between the ages of
48 and 52, most women reach menopause and are no longer able to bear children. After
menopause, the vagina may grow smaller and less elastic, and the uterus and ovaries
decrease in size. Typically, menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, decrease a few
years after menopause. |
Menopause Terminology
| Menopause |
The final menstrual
period, usually recognized 12 months or more after it occurs. |
| Pre-menopause |
One to two years
before menopause when menstrual periods become irregular; or, a term used to describe all
of the reproductive years. |
| Peri-menopause |
The years just prior
to menopause when the menstrual periods become highly irregular. |
| Menopausal
transition |
See
peri-menopause. |
| Natural
menopause |
The permanent
cessation of menstruation that occurs without the influence of surgery or other actions
that may induce menopause. |
| Premature
menopause |
Permanent cessation
of menstruation that occurs significantly earlier than the general population (before age
35). |
| Induced
menopause |
Permanent cessation
of menstruation secondary to surgical removal of the ovaries or therapy that destroys the
function of the ovaries (i.e., pelvic radiation or sometimes chemotherapy). |
| Surgical
menopause |
Menopause induced by
the surgical removal of both ovaries (oophorectomy). |
| Chemotherapy-induced
menopause |
Permanent cessation
of menstruation directly caused by the administration of chemotherapy to treat cancer. In
some women, chemotherapy may induce the temporary cessation of menstrual periods, with
menses returning some time after the completion of chemotherapy (see temporary menopause). |
| Radiation-induced
menopause |
Permanent cessation
of menstruation due to radiation therapy; usually only caused by direct radiation to the
pelvic region. |
| Temporary
menopause |
Non-permanent
cessation of menstruation; may be caused by chemotherapy, pelvic radiation, drug therapy,
etc. |
| Post-menopause |
The time period
beginning after the last menstrual period. |
| Climacteric |
The transition from
the reproductive to non-reproductive years; typically begins with peri-menopause and lasts
a few years after menopause. |
Menopausal Symptoms
The symptoms of menopause vary significantly from woman to woman. Some women only
experience mild menopausal symptoms while others have severe discomfort. The most common
symptoms that signal that a woman is beginning the transition to menopause are irregular
menstrual periods, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.
Most women experience changes in their menstrual periods before they reach menopause.
These changes may include longer or shorter menstrual cycles or the absence of
menstruation (amenorrhea) for periods of time. On average, women experience changes in
menstrual periods approximately two years before they reach menopause, although the time
may be longer or shorter depending on the individual. It is important for women to report
these changes to their physicians since, at times, irregular menstrual cycles can signal
other health problems.
Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause. Hot flashes may be accompanied by
sweating, flushing, or heart palpitations. Hot flashes occur when estrogen is blocked in
the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the body’s thermostat. It is
estimated that nearly 80% of menopausal women experience hot flashes. Hot flashes
typically last up to two years after the final menstrual period.
During peri-menopause (the time period immediately before a woman reaches menopause),
changes also occur in the vagina and urinary tract. Vaginal tissue becomes thinner, dryer,
and less elastic, which may cause discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse. Urinary
tract tissue also becomes less elastic, which may cause a release of urine during
laughter, coughing, sneezing, or exercise. Many women also find that urinary tract
infections occur more frequently during this time. Other menopausal symptoms may include
mood changes, insomnia (sleep deprivation), depression, or anxiety. Hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) can relieve many of these symptoms.
Menopausal Symptoms |
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood changes
- Insomnia (sleep deprivation)
- Depression
- Anxiety
|
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