Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation that results from the loss of ovarian follicular function and the consequent decline in ovarian estrogen production. It is defined clinically in retrospect, after twelve consecutive months of amenorrhea without another physiological or pathological cause. Menopaus…
Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation that results from the loss of ovarian follicular function and the consequent decline in ovarian estrogen production. It is defined clinically in retrospect, after twelve consecutive months of amenorrhea without another physiological or pathological cause. Menopause is preceded by the menopausal transition, or perimenopause, a period of fluctuating hormone concentrations and irregular cycles during which many of the characteristic symptoms first emerge. Falling estrogen drives the vasomotor symptoms that typify this stage, including hot flushes and night sweats, as well as genitourinary changes such as vaginal atrophy and urinary incontinence. Beyond these immediate manifestations, sustained estrogen deficiency carries longer-term health consequences. Accelerated bone resorption raises the risk of osteoporosis and fragility fracture, and adverse shifts in lipid metabolism and vascular function contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. Estrogen withdrawal is also associated with disturbances of mood, sleep, and cognition that affect quality of life and daily functioning. When ovarian failure occurs before the age of forty it is termed premature ovarian insufficiency, a distinct condition reflecting early follicular depletion. Research in this field spans symptom assessment, modifiable factors such as calcium intake and diet, and the broader physiology of ovarian aging.
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