Estrogen is called the female
hormone, as it plays an important role in shaping the female body
and is required for pregnancy. It also has beneficial effects on
the bones, heart and is responsible for the lining of the uterus,
vagina and urinary system. Progesterone another female hormone along
with estrogen regulates the changes in the uterine lining responsible
for menstruation and helps maintain pregnancy. Prior to menopause
more than 90% of estrogen comes from the ovaries. Other organs like
adrenal glands, liver, kidney and fat cells also make small amount
of estrogen.
With aging the ovarian stroma is exhausted of the ovarian follicles
/eggs and after menopause one can safely say that there are no remaining
ovarian follicles and estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate
and decrease. Despite reactive increase of FSH and LH (hormones
which stimulate the ovary)
the ovaries are unable to produce estrogen and
progesterone in sufficient amounts. Menopausal symptoms are largely
felt due to sudden withdrawal of estrogen.