Endocrine changes in menopausal syndrome

When women reach a certain age, they will experience menopause. After this happens, women need to adjust themselves, otherwise their bodies will age quickly after menopause. After menopause, women need to arrange their diet reasonably and reduce their choices of high-calorie and high-fat foods. So what is menopausal syndrome? This question is not clear to many people.

Endocrine changes in menopausal syndrome:

1. The earliest sign of estrogen ovarian dysfunction is decreased sensitivity of follicles to FSH and increased FSH levels. Estrogen levels fluctuate greatly during the early stages of the menopausal transition and may even be higher than normal follicular phase levels. It is caused by excessive secretion of estradiol due to excessive stimulation of follicles by increased FSH. Estrogen levels do not decrease gradually throughout the menopausal transition, but only drop rapidly when the follicles stop growing and developing. After menopause, the ovaries no longer secrete estrogen, but women still have low levels of estrogen in their circulation, mainly from the adrenal cortex and estrone converted from androstenedione in the ovaries by aromatase in peripheral tissues. In menopausal women, circulating levels of estrone (E1) are higher than those of estradiol (E2).

2. Progesterone During the menopausal transition period, the ovaries still have the function of ovulation and progesterone is still secreted. However, due to the prolonged follicular phase and poor luteal function, progesterone secretion is reduced. There is no progesterone secretion after menopause.

3. Androgen After menopause, androgens are derived from ovarian interstitial cells and adrenal glands, and the overall androgen level decreases. Androstenedione is mainly derived from the adrenal glands, and the amount is about half of that before menopause. The ovaries mainly produce testosterone. Due to the increased stimulation of ovarian interstitial cells by elevated LH, testosterone levels increase compared to premenopause.

4. During the menopausal transition period, FSH levels increase and fluctuate, LH remains within the normal range, and FSH/LH remains LH>1. Follicular atresia leads to decreased estrogen and inhibin levels and increased FSH levels, which is the main sign of menopause.

5. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: GnRH secretion increases after menopause and is balanced with LH.

6. Inhibin: The level of inhibin in the blood of postmenopausal women decreases earlier and more significantly than that of estradiol, and may become a more sensitive indicator of ovarian function decline.

Through understanding the endocrine changes of menopausal syndrome, we should follow the doctor's advice on improvement after such a situation occurs. Especially for young women, they should not ignore it, otherwise it will have a great impact on their own fertility. Moreover, long-term menopause will also induce various diseases in the body.