As a woman ages, a number of changes take place in the female reproductive system. For women, the cessation of menses (menopause) is an obvious sign of aging. But, it is by no means the only change. A transition period, called the climacteric, lasts for many years before and after a woman's last menstrual period.
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For a woman, aging changes involve
AGING CHANGES
Menopause is a normal part of a woman's aging process. The ovaries stop releasing eggs (ova), and menstrual periods stop. Most women experience menopause around age 50, although it occurs before age 40 in about 8% of women. Prior to menopause, menstrual cycles often become irregular.
The ovaries become less responsive to stimulation by follicle-stimulating hormone (
The hormones produced by the ovaries include the different forms of estrogen (including estradiol), progesterone, and androgens (including testosterone). These hormones also decrease around menopause. The ovaries continue to produce small amounts of
Because hormone levels fall, changes occur in the entire reproductive system. The vaginal walls become less elastic, thinner, and less rigid. The
In both men and women, reproductive system changes are closely related to changes in the urinary system.
EFFECT OF CHANGES
Prior to menopause, fertility varies depending on hormone levels. Menopause is said to have occurred when there has been one year without a menstrual period. With menopause, reproductive capacity is lost (the woman can no longer become pregnant).
