Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
The Menstrual Cycle01:19

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a recurrent sequence of changes in the uterine endometrium, specifically its functional layer, the stratum functionalis. This cycle prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy. This cycle typically spans 21–35 days, averaging 28 days, and aligns with the ovarian cycle, regulated by fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a uterine...
Menopause01:28

Menopause

Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...
Longitudinal Studies01:26

Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Puerperal Laceration of the Cervix Uteri, and the Operation of Trachelorrhaphy as a Means of Cure.

The Chicago medical journal and examiner·2023
Same author

Reply to the Letter from Dr. Newman.

The Chicago medical journal and examiner·2023
Same author

Emmet's Operation.

The Chicago medical journal and examiner·2023
Same author

Gynæcological Antiseptics.

The Chicago medical journal and examiner·2023
Same author

Risks and benefits of hormone therapy: has medical dogma now been overturned?

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2014
Same author

The stages of reproductive aging as proposed by workshops held in 2001 and 2010 (STRAW and STRAW + 10): a commentary.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2013

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

A Method to Study the Impact of Chemically-induced Ovarian Failure on Exercise Capacity and Cardiac Adaptation in Mice
14:26

A Method to Study the Impact of Chemically-induced Ovarian Failure on Exercise Capacity and Cardiac Adaptation in Mice

Published on: April 7, 2014

Using longitudinal data to define the perimenopause by menstrual cycle characteristics.

E C Dudley1, J L Hopper, J Taffe

  • 1Office for Gender and Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, 211 Grattan Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia.

Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society
|March 23, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Amenorrhea (3-11 months of no periods) is the strongest predictor of postmenopause. Changes in menstrual frequency also predict menopause, but changes in flow alone do not. This research defines early and late perimenopause stages.

More Related Videos

Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle
09:05

Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle

Published on: August 30, 2021

Blood Sampling and Hormone Measurement for Determining the Stage in the Ovarian Cycle in Marmosets
06:17

Blood Sampling and Hormone Measurement for Determining the Stage in the Ovarian Cycle in Marmosets

Published on: July 5, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

A Method to Study the Impact of Chemically-induced Ovarian Failure on Exercise Capacity and Cardiac Adaptation in Mice
14:26

A Method to Study the Impact of Chemically-induced Ovarian Failure on Exercise Capacity and Cardiac Adaptation in Mice

Published on: April 7, 2014

Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle
09:05

Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle

Published on: August 30, 2021

Blood Sampling and Hormone Measurement for Determining the Stage in the Ovarian Cycle in Marmosets
06:17

Blood Sampling and Hormone Measurement for Determining the Stage in the Ovarian Cycle in Marmosets

Published on: July 5, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive endocrinology
  • Women's health
  • Menopause research

Background:

  • The menopausal transition is a complex process with varying individual timelines.
  • Predicting the onset of postmenopause is crucial for women's health management.
  • Menstrual cycle changes are key indicators of reproductive aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify which menstrual changes most accurately predict the time to postmenopause.
  • To establish reliable markers for defining perimenopausal stages.
  • To enhance understanding of the menopausal transition in women aged 45-55.

Main Methods:

  • 250 Australian women (45-55 years) categorized by menstrual status (no change, flow change, frequency change, both, or amenorrhea).
  • Comparison of baseline demographics, hormone levels (estradiol, inhibin, FSH), and self-rated menopausal status.
  • Follow-up for 4 years to track progression to postmenopause.

Main Results:

  • Women with amenorrhea (Group V) were older, had lower estradiol/inhibin, higher FSH, and more menopausal symptoms.
  • Progression to postmenopause after 4 years: 12% (Group I), 14% (Group II), 58% (Group III), 53% (Group IV), and 94% (Group V).
  • Amenorrhea and changes in menstrual frequency were significant predictors; changes in flow alone were not.

Conclusions:

  • Amenorrhea is the most significant predictor of future menopause, followed by changes in menstrual frequency.
  • A two-stage perimenopause classification is proposed: 'early' (frequency change) and 'late' (amenorrhea).
  • This study provides a clearer framework for understanding and classifying perimenopausal stages based on menstrual patterns.