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Menopause and Estrogen
by Cathy Taylor
As we age, is the loss of estrogens what causes the onset of peri- menopause and finally, menopause? For women, menopause is a direct result of the loss of estrogens in the female anatomy. The ¨E¨, as it is called in medical circles, is a group of female hormones produced in the ovaries. These female hormones are responsible for regulating the function of reproduction in the female body. Estrogens determine a woman’s body shape by distributing fat to different areas of the body, aid in the development of the uterus, and construct tissues in the brain and bones. Safe levels of estrogens in the body help maintain proper blood flow, control cholesterol levels, and act as an antioxidant filtering harmful chemicals from the body.
Menopause is known as the final phase of menstruation. As a result of aging, fewer eggs are produced. When menopause arrives, the ovaries stop producing estrogen altogether. Instead they produce minute amounts of testosterone (a male hormone) which is stored in body fat. A loss of estrogen contributes to stopping the female anatomy’s daily routine of maintaining homeostasis (holistic balance in the body) and has effects on the brain as well. Studies have shown that estrogen helps improve blood flow to the brain and prevents Alzheimer disease by blocking the production of chemicals contributing to it. It also increases the level of serotonin – a chemical in the brain known to improve mood. As you can see, losing estrogen can have a profound effect to a woman’s mental and, as a result, emotional balance.
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