What hormonal changes occur during menopause?

During menopause, the ovaries significantly reduce their production of hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone. This decline is a result of the natural aging process in women, where the number of ovarian follicles decreases, leading to a lower output of these hormones.

As menopause approaches, women often experience irregular menstrual cycles due to fluctuating hormone levels, but ultimately, the levels of estrogen and progesterone decline sharply and reach a stable low state after menopause. This decrease in hormones is responsible for several physiological changes and symptoms women may experience during this transitional phase, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

The other options do not accurately represent the physiological changes that occur during this time. For instance, increased estrogen levels would contradict the established hormonal decline seen during menopause, and stable hormone levels do not reflect the considerable shifts that characterize this life stage. Additionally, increased levels of progesterone do not occur since progesterone production is closely linked to the menstrual cycle and ovulation, which cease during menopause.