Menopause and Estrogen
By Cathy Taylor
As we age, is the loss of estrogens what causes the
onset of peri-menopause and finally, menopause? For women, menopause
is a direct result of the loss of estrogens in the female anatomy.
The ¨E¨, as it is called in medical circles, is a group of female
hormones produced in the ovaries. These female hormones are responsible
for regulating the function of reproduction in the female body.
Estrogens determine a woman’s body shape by distributing
fat to different areas of the body, aid in the development of the
uterus, and construct tissues in the brain and bones. Safe levels
of estrogens in the body help maintain proper blood flow, control
cholesterol levels, and act as an antioxidant filtering harmful chemicals
from the body.
Menopause is known as the final phase of menstruation.
As a result of aging, fewer eggs are produced. When menopause arrives,
the ovaries stop producing estrogen altogether. Instead they produce
minute amounts of testosterone (a male hormone) which is stored in
body fat.
A loss of estrogen contributes to stopping the female
anatomy’s daily routine of maintaining homeostasis (holistic balance
in the body) and has effects on the brain as well. Studies have shown
that estrogen helps improve blood flow to the brain and prevents Alzheimer
disease by blocking the production of chemicals contributing to it.
It also increases the level of serotonin – a chemical
in the brain known to improve mood. As you can see, losing estrogen
can have a profound effect to a woman’s mental and, as a result, emotional
balance.
Estrogen is not the name of one hormone, but the name
of three special female hormones that unite to form one. They are
known as E1, E2 and E3. E1, the first set of estrogen hormones in
the series, is also known as estrone and is the primary source of
estrogen in the body. E2 (or estradiol) is the most important estrogen
developed by the ovaries and E3 (estriol) are special estrogens that
are produced during pregnancy when high levels are present.
During menopause, E1, E2, and E3 are all affected,
and after its aftermath, low levels of estrone is the only source
of estrogen remaining in the female body. It is important to note
that this female hormone serves a helping function as well, transporting
vital enzymes throughout the system, maintaining positive levels of
cholesterol, and sparking calcium activity.
Post menopause brings even lower levels of estrogen
in the body. This officially marks the end of monthly periods, the
malfunctioning of ovaries, and the ability to reproduce. Since the
ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone at the same levels
it used to, having a child is nearly impossible.
During this full transition, periods can also be affected.
This loss of estrogen can cause irregular periods for some women,
often with a lighter flow. It can also causes emotional problems like
depression and aggression toward people for no ‘apparent’ reason.
As stated before, a lack of this hormone means you lose ¨balance¨.
In retrospect, estrogen loss is directly responsible
for the on-set of menopause. When the woman has her last menstrual
cycle, it is a marker for a new chapter in her life. She learns to
accept that child bearing is no longer an option, although possible
in extreme cases as some women continue to ovulate during this transition
In time, we come to understand how this change is
a necessary part of life and how we can renew ourselves and begin
our new phase.
Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over
25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy
and plan development, as well as management of communications and
public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached
at Creative Communications: creative--com@cox.net
or by visiting http://www.menopauseinfo.org
or http://www.internet-marketing-small-business.com
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