What is menopause?
Menopause is the permanent end of a woman's monthly
period. A woman has reached menopause when she
has ceased having periods for one year. In North
America, women usually go through menopause between
the ages of 45 and 55. When menopause occurs before
age 40, it is considered premature.
As menopause nears in a healthy woman, the ovaries
begin to gradually reduce the amount of estrogen,
progesterone and androgens they produce.
Estrogen is the main female sex hormone, and
it controls the development of a woman's secondary
sex characteristics. Estrogen also prompts the
growth of a uterine lining during a woman's menstrual
cycle and maintains that lining during pregnancy.
However, estrogen is far more than a reproductive
hormone, as it has wide-ranging effects on other
parts of a woman's body, including her:
- Urinary tract
- Heart
- Blood vessels
- Bones
- Breasts
- Skin
- Portions of the brain
Progesterone is important in maintaining a regular
menstrual cycle.
The role of androgens is less well documented.
A reduction in androgen levels may contribute
to the decline in energy levels and sexual desire
that women sometimes experience during menopause.
See also: Menopause
Services at Penn
|
