Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Menopause

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 Cycle

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 Cycle

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...

Signs of Puberty

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.

The Menstrual Cycle

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

From maximal weight loss to required weight loss: a call to action for weight management in gynecologic practice.

International journal of obesity (2005)·2026

Same author

The International Menopause Society celebrates another milestone.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2026

Same author

Metagenomic identification of Acanthamoeba Rhysodes in chronic skin lesion: Case report and literature review.

JAAD case reports·2026

Same author

Estradiol loss, the "estrobolome," and midlife symptoms: what the gut microbiome adds to menopause care.

Menopause (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same author

Estetrol (E4) for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women - Efficacy and safety results from the phase 3 E4COMFORT I multicenter, placebo-controlled study.

Maturitas·2026

Same author

A concept for a new approach to combined oral contraception from adolescence to perimenopause: Continuous use of the oral GnRH antagonist Relugolix and the fetal estrogen Estetrol.

Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 7, 2014

Hormonal changes during menopause.

Farook Al-Azzawi¹, Santiago Palacios

¹Gynaecology Research Unit, University Hospitals of Leicester, Victoria Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, United Kingdom. farook.alazzawi@doctors.org.uk

|April 18, 2009

Summary

Menopause leads to decreased estrogen and androgen levels, impacting women's health. Accurate testosterone measurement in postmenopausal women needs validated methods for low levels.

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Reproductive Medicine
Gerontology

Background:

Ovarian senescence, occurring in the fourth and fifth decades, leads to menopause around age 51.
Menopause is characterized by declining estrogen and androgen levels, altering the hormonal environment.
Surgical menopause or cancer treatments can also induce similar hormonal changes.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the hormonal shifts during ovarian senescence and menopause.
To discuss the widespread effects of decreased estrogen and androgens on various body tissues.
To emphasize the need for validated testosterone measurement methods in postmenopausal women.

Main Methods:

Review of physiological changes associated with ovarian senescence.
Analysis of hormonal milieu alterations during menopause.

More Related Videos

Exploring Independent Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone In Vivo in a Mouse Model

Exploring Independent Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone In Vivo in a Mouse Model

Published on: August 11, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 7, 2014

Exploring Independent Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone In Vivo in a Mouse Model

Exploring Independent Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone In Vivo in a Mouse Model

Published on: August 11, 2023

Discussion of clinical implications and measurement challenges.

Main Results:

Ovarian senescence results in decreased estrogen and androgen levels.
These hormonal changes affect multiple tissues, causing symptoms like vasomotor issues and bone density loss.
Current testosterone measurement methods may not be accurate for the low levels found in postmenopausal women.

Conclusions:

Declining sex hormone levels significantly impact postmenopausal women's health and well-being.
Accurate assessment of testosterone is crucial for understanding its role and managing symptoms in this population.
Development and validation of sensitive assays are necessary for reliable testosterone measurement in postmenopausal women.