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Menopause
It is a natural biological process in which a woman goes without a regular period for a period of 12 months. It is also the time in a woman's life when the function of the ovaries ceases, which leads to a decrease in the production of oestrogen and progesterone and, as a result, no production of female eggs, making women infertile.
The hormonal changes associated with menopause actually start before the last menstrual period, when women experience menopausal symptoms. This is different from the Perimenopause (time around menopause).
There are two basic types of menopause: 1.) natural menopause, as described above, and 2.) surgical menopause, which is characterised as:
menopause brought on by ovarian suppression. The onset of menopause symptoms is frequently abrupt and severe in women who have had surgical menopause.
Physiological basis of menopause
The regular menstrual cycle is brought on by:
1.) the brain's hypothalamus is in good working order
2.) excellent pituitary gland function
3.) properly working ovaries
4.) functioning interactions between the ovaries, pituitary, and hypothalamus
5.) When puberty first begins,
6.) GnRh (gondotropin releasing hormone) is produced by the hypothalamus in a pulsating way and travels to the
7.) When activated, the anterior pituitary releases two different hormones.
8.) FSH ( follicular stimulating hormone )
9.) LH (leutinizing hormone )
There are two primary moments when these hormones reach the ovaries: early in the cycle (when FSH is primarily secreted), and mid cycle ( LH mainly released )
In response, the ovaries release early oestrogen and both oestrogen and progesterone at the midpoint of the cycle. This causes the ovum to form and release, which can result in pregnancy or normal menstruation if fertilisation is not present.
The causes of the menopause are:
Ovarian ageing causes the following outcomes:
1.) no reaction to the hormones the brain releases ( hypothalamus and pituitary )
2.) reduced or nonexistent ova storage within the ovaries
which results in:
1.) Maximum drop in the amount of oestrogen hormone circulating in female body
2.) Increased hormones from the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus
3.) That ultimately caused the symptoms and signs of menopause to arise.
Menopause age
Natural menopause age ranges from 40 to 60 years old, on average 51 years old. However, it is considered premature if it occurs before 40, in which case it is referred to as premature menopause. Natural menopause age also varies depending on race, country, and each woman's body hormones.
Of course, there are certain menopause ages in surgical menopause, and they happen after the operation, so the woman may be young or old. Premature menopause is a result of surgical menopause.
