1. Chapter 2. REPRODUCTIVE CHANGES IN THE FEMALE LIFESPAN
Reid L. Norman, PhD
Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, TTUHSC

2. Learning Objectives
Describe how a woman’s body changes during her life
Describe how reproductive hormones change throughout the lifespan of a woman
Define the terminology used to describe changes in reproductive capabilities
Outline the impact of menopause on health measures

3. Changes in the lifespan
PUBERTY
MENOPAUSE
E, P, LH, FSH
All low
E, P, LH, FSH
Cyclic changes
E, P - low
LH, FSH - high
NO CYCLES
MENSTRUAL CYCLES
POSTMENOPAUSAL
AGE

4. Childhood Reproductive hormone level are low
LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone
No menstrual cycles
Secondary sexual characteristics absent
Energy devoted to growth

5. Puberty Transition between childhood and adult
Occurs between 8 – 14 years
Includes the anatomical, physiological and behavioral changes that occur during this period

6. Puberty
Increased GnRH release from the hypothalamus stimulates LH and FSH
Increased estrogen and progesterone levels
Secondary sexual characteristics develop
Menarche – first menstrual period – this is hallmark of puberty
Primary amenorrhea – when menarche has not occurred by age 16

7. Puberty Adolescent growth spurt
Estrogen causes fusion of epiphyseal region of long bones – terminates growth
Adrenarche – growth of axillary and pubic hair
Hormones from the adrenal gland

8. Sexual maturity - adult
Menstrual cycles – fertile period
Day 1 of cycle – first day of menstrual flow
Eumenorrhea – cycles of d
Pregnancy and lactation interrupt cycle
Hormonal birth control – mimics cyclic fluctuation of ovarian steroids (E and P)
Cyclic fluctuations of LH, FSH, E and P

9. Menopause Average age in US is 51 years
No menstrual cycles for 12 months
Cause of menopause – ovaries have been depleted of primary follicles
LH and FSH increase to stimulate follicles to produce estrogen

10. Menopause
Symptoms – most related to decreased circulating estrogen levels
Hot flashes – vasomotor instability
These are real increases in body temperature
Mood changes
Urogenital changes

11. Postmenopause Today – this averages about 30 years in US
Increased risk for
Osteoporosis
Alzheimer’s dementia
Depression
Cardiovascular disease
Breast and endometrial cancer

12. Postmenopause HRT – hormone replacement therapy
Estrogen or estrogen + progesterone
Effective in treating
Osteoporosis
Alzheimer’s disease
Hot flashes
Cardiovascular changes
Increased risk for breast cancer in some women