What is the primary hormonal change that occurs during menopause?

During menopause, the primary hormonal change is a decrease in estrogen levels. As women age and approach menopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen due to the depletion of follicles that produce this hormone. This decline in estrogen has significant physiological effects, including changes in menstrual cycles, hot flashes, mood swings, and alterations in bone density and cardiovascular health.

While other hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may increase in response to the low levels of estrogen, the defining characteristic of menopause is indeed the decrease in estrogen itself. This decline triggers a cascade of hormonal changes but does not include an increase in progesterone levels, as the secretion of progesterone is closely linked to the presence of estrogen and the menstrual cycle, both of which diminish during menopause. Therefore, recognizing the decrease in estrogen levels as the primary change is crucial for understanding the physiological impacts of menopause and its management in clinical settings.