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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
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...
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...
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System01:24

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.

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Re: Estrogen plus progestin and breast cancer incidence and mortality in the women's health initiative observational study.

Journal of the National Cancer Institute·2013
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Menopause redefined.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2011
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A decade of swings and arrows.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2007
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The heart of the WHI study: time for hormone therapy policies to be revised.

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Expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide, adrenomedullin, and receptor modifying proteins in human adipose tissue and alteration in their expression with menopause status.

Menopause (New York, N.Y.)·2007
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Time for evidence-based labelling of over-the-counter medicines.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
06:18

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause

Published on: August 13, 2019

The menopausal hot flush--anything new?

David W Sturdee1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Solihull Hospital, Solihull B91 2JL, UK. David.sturdee@btinternet.com

Maturitas
|April 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Hot flushes, a common menopausal symptom, are triggered by temperature regulation disturbances. While estrogen plays a critical role, the exact mechanism causing hot flushes remains unclear, necessitating further research for effective treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Gynecology

Background:

  • Hot flushes are a distressing symptom of the climacteric (menopause) with unique physiological changes.
  • The exact cause of hot flushes is unknown, but they involve the hypothalamus and temperature regulation.
  • Estrogen's role is critical, yet the precise mechanism linking low estrogen to flushing is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the underlying physiological mechanisms of hot flushes.
  • To investigate the role of estrogen, gonadotrophins, and neurochemicals in hot flush generation.
  • To identify potential non-estrogen therapies for hot flushes, particularly for breast cancer patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on hot flush physiology and contributing factors.

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

Published on: April 7, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
06:18

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause

Published on: August 13, 2019

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

  • Analysis of the impact of estrogen replacement therapy, antagonists, and gonadotrophins (like LH) on flushing.
  • Examination of proposed neurochemical pathways (serotonin, noradrenalin, dopamine) and drug trial outcomes.

    • Main Results:

    • Estrogen priming is essential for flushing; its absence prevents flushes unless therapy is initiated.
    • Luteinizing hormone (LH) release is associated with flushes but not causative.
    • Limited success with non-estrogen treatments like serotonin/noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors and gabapentin compared to estrogen or tibolone.

    Conclusions:

    • Hot flushes are complex, likely initiated by a supra-pituitary mechanism influenced by hypothalamic factors.
    • Estrogen's critical role is confirmed, but its precise mechanism in causing flushes needs elucidation.
    • There is an urgent need for safe, effective non-estrogen therapies for hot flushes, especially for women with contraindications to estrogen therapy.