Female Hormone and menopause (in English and Chinese 中英文)
Ttranslated by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu 朱興國編譯 Female Hormone Female hormones can be divided into two group: estrogen and progesterone, although they are steroids, but their chemical structure is different, there are differences in the physiological effects.
Estrogen is mainly secreted by the ovaries, but the adrenal and testicles also produces a small amount, after three months of pregnancy the placenta is the main organ that produces of estrogen.
Estrogens can be classified into: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3).
After ovarian function becomes depleted, a sharp decline of estradiol causes menopausal syndrome of estradiol deficiency diseases Post-menopausal women are more likely to accumulate fat around the abdomen area.
Menopausal syndrome generally begins about ten years before the menses stop. Menopause is the obvious clinical indicators of ovarian failure . The age of menopause usually is around 55 .
There are great differences how soon or how late
menopause can happen. It depends on many factors.
( 1 ) age at menarche: The earlier the age at menarche, the later the
menopause .
( 2 ) genetic and familial factors . Those who have mothers and sisters with
early menopause, then they may also have early menopause ; and the opposite
is true.
( 3 ) Menstrual cycle is short, ( smaller number of continuous days of
menstruation), the amount is small, no dysmenorrhea (pain during
menses), then menopause will come later than average. If menstrual cycle is
long, larger volume, dysmenorrhea, then generally menopause will come
earlier than average..
( 4 ) the standard of living: Those with higher standard of living,
menopause will come later. Those with lower standard of living menopause
will come earlier .
( 5 ) marital status and fertility: Married women compared to unmarried
women, menopause usually come later. Those with giving births more often
usually have later menopause than those who never pregnant or giving birth.
( 6 ) education. those with lower education, have later menopause. Those
with family discord, loneliness, indifference may have earlier
menopause earlier. Those who are divorced or widowed may have early
menopause.
( 7 ) smoking factor. Smoking may cause early menopause, because nicotine
hampers ovarian blood supply, and causes
premature ovarian failure.
( 8 ) certain gynecological disorders. such as uterine fibroids, cervical
cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, may delay menopause.