Menopause: What happens to my reproductive hormones at my menopause?

The amount of hormones produced by your ovaries (oestrogens, progesterone and androgens including testosterone; Q 2.9) will fall.
Your pituitary gland (menstrual cycles) will respond by increasing gonadotrophin (FSH and LH -sex hormones) output in a futile attempt to gain a response from the ovaries (Figure 2.5).

Figure 2.5

To the reproductive endocrinologist (doctor specialising in reproductive hormone problems) there is increased gonadotrophin and decreased sex hormone output a state termed hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism (hyper increased; hypo decreased; female gonads are the ovaries).

After the menopause, a small amount of oestrogen is still produced mostly from tissues other than the ovaries. The adrenal glands (sited above the kidneys) and ovaries still contribute to produce oestrogen albeit to a minor degree.

Q 26. 1 What will happen to me at my menopause?
Q 26. 2 Why does nature put women through the menopause?
Q 26. 3 Is life-expectancy changing?
Q 26. 4 What happens to my reproductive hormones at the menopause?
Q 26. 5 What non-hormonal changes occur at the menopause?
Q 26. 6 What problems might I have as a result of my menopause?
Q 26. 7 When am I likely to reach my menopause?
Q 26. 8 What is a premature menopause?
Q 26. 9 What are hot flushes and will HRT reduce them?
Q 26. 10 What causes hot flushes and night sweats?
Q 26. 11 Can my bladder problems be related to the menopause?
Q 26. 12 Can the menopause be associated with psychological problems.
Q 26. 13 How long can my menopausal (climacteric) symptoms last?
Q 26. 14 Is there a test that will accurately determine when my menopause has occurred?
Q 26. 15 Is it normal to experience heavy periods before the menopause?
Q 26. 16 How are heavy periods around the time of the menopause treated?
Q 26. 17 Is there a need to investigate vaginal bleeding after the menopause (postmenopausal bleeding)?
Q 26. 18 What could be the cause of vaginal bleeding after the menopause?
Q 26. 19 What is atrophic vaginitis?
Q 26. 20 What local genital symptoms can be associated with the menopause?
Q 26. 21 I have gone through the menopause and now have some bleeding (postmenopausal bleeding PMB). What will my gynaecologist wish to do?
Q 26. 22 Could I have any other long-term medical problems resulting from my menopause?
Q 26. 23 What is coronary heart disease?
Q 26. 24 What is osteoporosis?
Q 26. 25 Where else can I obtain further information?
Q 26. 26 Could I have some recommended menopause support groups.

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DISCLAIMER

The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.
Answers to FAQs on women's health, patient information and medical advice by David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (Gynecologist - OBGYN), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Whipps Cross University Hospital, London