Estrogen and its Effect on Women During Menopause

2 months ago

Estrogen is one hormone that is crucial in women as it has lots of functions ranging from the development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty, menstrual cycle regulation, Ovulation, and other important functions including maintaining bone density.

It is an essential female sex hormone, primary released in the ovaries although smaller amounts are released by the adrenal gland and by the placenta during pregnancy. While these organs produce estrogen, we can say that the Ovaries is the major source of Estrogen during a woman's reproductive years.

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The release of estrogen from the ovaries follow a cyclic pattern that is similar to that of the female menstrual cycle. Estrogen peaks during ovulation which is 14 days after the first day of a woman's period. The hormone is very vital and contributes to the production of the protein, collagen which is responsible for providing structure and elasticity to the skin, causing the skin to be firm and resilient. Estrogen levels provide thickness to the skin, moisture, and blood flow.

This is why women tend to have less wrinkled faces while they are in their productive age, but the level of estrogen begins to drop as the woman begins to age because Ovarian functions decline. The drop in Ovarian function leads to a drop in estrogen levels which leads to a decline in collagen levels including the collagen in the vagina.

When women reach menopause the ovaries gradually reduce the hormones it produces during its reproductive years. During the first 5 years of a woman's menopause, she can lose up to 30% of collagen in the skin. Estrogen decline affects the skin, hair, mucous membrane, heart, breast, blood vessels, bones, pelvic muscles, the reproductive tract, Urinary tract, cardiovascular system, and the musculoskeletal system.

As women grow old, the decline in estrogen causes the vagina tissues to be thinner and less elastic. With thin tissue leads to the inability to hold on to moisture causing the vagina to become dry and discomfort. The folds and ridges lining the vaginal canal also becomes flattened and this reduces the surface areas further and reduces any avenue for lubrication. At this point, sexual intercourse can lead to vaginal atrophy leading to burning, itching, and pain during sex.

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Weakened vaginal wall muscles as a result of low estrogen can lead to vaginal prolapse where the bladder and uterus budge into or push out of the vagina, and it is common with women who have had multiple natural birth. With low estrogen, women can experience Stress incontinence leading to a condition where urine leaks out of the bladder as a result of pressure from activities like coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercising.

Estrogen is a fundamental hormone that significantly influences a woman's well-being at different life stages, and understanding its role is crucial for maintaining women's health and addressing age-related changes. Regular medical check-ups and consultations can help manage these changes and ensure overall well-being. Hormone replacement therapy can be used to replace estrogen level and improve the vaginal health and this therapy relieves symptoms of menopause.

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2717878/
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