The simple idea (no memorising)
Over a lifetime the ovary's stock of follicles slowly runs down. Eventually there are too few to respond, so:
This is the same feedback loop from Concept 5, just at the end of the story. When the ovary stops answering, the pituitary turns the volume up — that's why FSH is high.
The symptoms, organ by organ
Losing estrogen is felt all over:
- Hot flushes — the body's thermostat becomes touchy; small temperature shifts trigger a wave of heat, flushing and sweating. (The most characteristic symptom.)
- Vagina & urinary tract — tissues thin and dry, causing dryness, discomfort and urinary symptoms — now grouped as the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).
- Bones — estrogen used to restrain bone breakdown; without it, bone is lost faster, raising osteoporosis and fracture risk.
- Skin & more — collagen and other tissues change too.
How it's diagnosed
For a woman of the expected age with typical symptoms and periods that have stopped, menopause is a clinical diagnosis — no blood test needed. Testing FSH becomes useful mainly when it happens young or the picture is unclear.
Why it matters
Menopause isn't a disease — it's a natural transition — but its estrogen drop has real health consequences (especially for bones and comfort) that are very treatable, as the next concept shows.
Quick check ✅
- What happens to estrogen and to FSH at menopause, and why?
- Name two consequences of low estrogen.
Remember this 🌟
Where we're going next → How do we safely ease those symptoms and protect the bones? Concept 22.