Menopause
• It is a phase in woman’s life when ovulation and menstruation stop.
During this condition, ovaries fail to respond or may become resistant
to FSH. In this case FSH levels are very high and the estrogen levels
are very low. It occurs between 45 to 55 years of age (in some
individuals, it is between 40 to 50 years).
• Since there are no developing follicles, the supply of estrogen and
progesterone is reduced. This may lead to temporary depression,
hot flushes and other physiological and psychological problems
during menopause.HORMONAL CONTROL OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The growth, maintenance and functions of female reproductive organs are regulated and controlled by various hormones.
Hypothalamus secretes GnRHAnterior lobe of pituitaryLH FSHStimulates• Stimulates growth of ovarian follicles.
• Increases development of oocyte within follicle to complete
meiosis I to form secondary oocyte.
• Stimulates formation of estrogen.• Stimulates corpus
luteum to secrete
progesterone.• Increased levels of progesterone inhibits the release of GnRH, which in turn, inhibits the production of FSH, LH and
progesterone.Breast cancer
Breast cancer is rarely seen before the age of thirty. Its incidence
increases after menopause.Infertility
Infertility in women is the inability to become pregnant. It may be
due to failure to ovulate or some anatomical factors that prevents
the union of egg and sperm.Endometriosis
It is the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Its symptoms
include premenstrual pain or unusual menstrual pain.Oophorocytosis (Ovarian cysts)
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled tumors of the ovary. Such cysts
sometimes rupture and regress during pregnancy.Ectopic pregnancy
It is implantation of embryo at a place other than uterus, generally
in the oviduct.Oophoritis
It is inflammation of ovary, usually caused by an infection.Cervical cancer
It is relatively slow-growing cancer. Its main risk is that it is unnoticed
until it has invaded other tissues.Menstrual disorder
• Dysmenorrhoea is painful menstruation.
• Menorrhagia is excessive menstruation.
• Oligomenorrhoea is sparse or infrequent menstruation.
• Amenorrhoea is absence of menstruation.Disorders of Female Reproductive System