"The ovaries in women contain follicles that hold the egg cells. At birth, there are about 500,000 egg cells. By puberty, only about 75,000 eggs are left. Only about 400 to 500 eggs ever reach maturity and get released during adulthood. The rest degenerate over the years."
"During the reproductive years, a gland in the brain generates hormones that
cause a new egg to be released from its follicle each month. The follicle then
produces the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which thicken the lining
of the uterus. This enriched lining is prepared to receive and nourish a fertilized
egg which could develop into a baby. If fertilization does not occur, estrogen
and progesterone levels drop, the lining of the uterus breaks down, and menstruation
occurs."
Synthetic or natural hormone replacement therapy is
unnecessary for most healthy women in their reproductive years, as the monthly
fluctuation of natural hormones at an optimal level is assured by a healthy
reproductive system. However, women who have severe PMS may need some hormonal
therapy, usually natural progesterone. Women who have surgically-induced menopause
after the removal of their ovaries may experience much more severe menopausal
symptoms and could greatly benefit from synthetic or natural
hormone replacement therapy
"The hormone production in the ovaries begins to decline from the mid-thirties. In the late forties, the process accelerates and hormones fluctuate more, causing irregular menstrual cycles and unpredictable episodes of heavy bleeding. By the early to mid-fifties, periods finally end altogether. However, estrogen production does not completely stop." (www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/hrt/hrt_how.htm)
The ovaries decrease their output significantly, but still may produce a small amount. Also, some estrogen is produced in fat cells with help from the adrenal glands." (www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/hrt/hrt_how.htm) Despite being significantly reduced, natural hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are still present in the body. Natural hormone replacement therapy can optimize the function of these hormones in the body without using drugs.
Just like in their reproductive years, hormones in menopausal women tend to fluctuate, rising and falling in cycles. The rising and falling of these hormones effects the function of the other glands and organs in the body, leading to the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. The moisture of the skin, the strength of the bones and the function of the urinary tract can be affected.
The menstrual cycle: understanding how conventional and natural hormone replacement therapy works
"In order to understand what happens during perimenopause and menopause, and how conventional and natural hormone replacement therapy works, it is important to understand how the normal menstrual cycle operates. The story of menstruation and menopause is really the story of the ovaries, the uterus and the pituitary gland."
"Within each ovary are thousands of tiny sacs called follicles. At the time a woman has her first period, she may have as many as 500,000 follicles, each of which is filled with eggs. Usually, early in each menstrual cycle, just one of these eggs begins to "ripen." Around mid-cycle, the follicle bursts open, and the ripened egg passes into the fallopian tube, which leads to the uterus. This process is called ovulation. If it meets sperm along the way, the egg may be fertilized, and the resulting fertilized egg soon begins to divide and differentiate into multiple cells while continuing its journey to the uterus."
"If the egg is not fertilized, it still continues its journey into the uterus. In the absence of a hormonal message that fertilization has occurred the uterus ends its preparations for pregnancy and discards the endometrial lining it has built up, as well as the extra blood and nutrients it has amassed. This familiar event is known as menstruation." www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/rt/hrt_menstr_hormone.htm)
While conventional or natural hormone replacement therapy may help balance the body.s hormones to premenopausal levels, menstruation does not return during menopause. Menopause is the body.s natural signal that says that child bearing is no longer safe or possible at this age.
"Once menstruation starts to lose its regularity (usually every 26-28 days), it probably means menopause is approaching, and the remaining fertile days are numbered. When periods stop altogether, menopause has arrived." This is typically the time that most women turn to conventional or natural hormone replacement therapy. (www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/hrt/hrt_menstr_hormone.htm)
The regularity of the menstrual cycle is controlled by the balance of four hormones, estrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulation hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH). The hormones that are replaced in conventional or natural hormone replacement therapy treatments are estrogen and progesterone.
More about the hormones replaced by conventional or natural hormone replacement therapy.
Estrogen
"Unlike the popular myth, estrogen is not a single hormone. The term "estrogen" is really short-hand for a group of several different but related hormones that perform the functions we normally attribute to "estrogen." Technically, it's more accurate to speak of "estrogens." In adult human women, three different natural estrogens predominate: Estrone (approximately 10-20 percent circulating estrogens), Estradiol (approximately 10-20% of circulating estrogens) and Estriol (approximately 60-80% of circulating estrogens). (www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/hrt/hrt_estrogen.htm)
Progesterone
Progesterone is one of two main hormones, the other being estrogen, made by the ovaries of menstruating women. Smaller amounts are secreted by the adrenals. It is the major female reproductive hormone during the latter two weeks of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone is necessary for the survival of the fertilized ovum, the resulting embryo, and the fetus throughout gestation, when production of progesterone is taken over by the placenta. (www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/hrt/hrt_estrogen.htm)
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