Knowing more about the changes that goes on in a menopausal woman’s body will assist in the understanding of the menopause transition. This in turn will help women to ease into menopause.
Hormones
The endocrine glands in your body release chemical substances called hormones. They move around the body, helping to coordinate and control bodily functions like growth and development, sexual reproduction and many more. If the body does not produce enough hormones, health problems can occur.
When a woman develops sexually, the pituitary glands secrete hormones which help the ovaries develop and to release female sex hormones called estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are very important to the female body and her reproductive system.
- Estrogen is an important female sex hormone that is responsible for the development of the breasts, vagina, and uterus. In addition, estrogen helps to regulate cholesterol level to prevent heart disease. When the estrogen level drops significantly, women begin to miss their period and eventually reach menopause. Low estrogen level also contributes to symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness.
- Progesterone
Progesterone is the hormone produced by the ovaries and is responsible for the monthly shedding of the uterine lining, which a woman experiences as a menstrual period. It also allows the womb to prepare and maintain pregnancy. Further ovulation is also prevented during pregnancy.
