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While still in the womb, the female develops some seven million eggs. At birth, however, this ovarian reserve has already dropped to approximately one million eggs, and only about 400 to 500 ever mature fully to be released during their menstrual cycles. This process continues for several decades and ends with menopause, which is triggered by depletion of the ovarian reserve.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is responsible for the development mature eggs for fertilization during a woman’s menstrual cycle. When a women reaches
perimenopause, she is beginning to run out of eggs in her ovaries. The brain senses that there is a low estrogen environment, and more FSH is released from the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries enough to produce a good follicle (egg) and estrogen.
You can think of it like stepping on the gas pedal of a car to get going. The FSH is the gas, and the pituitary gland releases FSH to get a follicle "going" at the beginning of every menstrual cycle. If there are fewer follicles left (and perhaps lower quality follicles), the "gas" has to be increased to get a follicle to start developing. In a menopausal woman, the gas pedal is on the floor for the rest of her life even though there may be no follicles (or eggs) left that are capable of developing. The menopausal woman's body never gives up trying and FSH levels are permanently elevated.
As women approach menopause, their FSH levels will gradually increase. Once FSH levels reach 25
mIU/ml, women are considered to be experiencing perimenopause. When they run out of follicles (eggs) capable of responding, their FSH will be high, and they will stop having menstrual periods. Women in menopause usually have FSH levels above 40
mIU/ml.
The Estroven Menopause Monitor will detect and give a positive result if a woman’s FSH level is 25
mIU/ml or higher. By measuring FSH, the Estroven Menopause Monitor tells women whether they are experiencing perimenopause or menopause. The Menopause Monitor, used periodically, can also be used to alert a woman in her mid to late 30s of when she has become perimenopausal and is reaching the end of fertility.
Because FSH levels can fluctuate during perimenopause, the Menopause Monitor comes with two test kits to be used one to two weeks apart. For assistance in interpreting
Estroven Menopause Monitor test results, you should consult with a physician. |
