When hormones go haywire

During a woman’s reproductive years, egg cells are housed in structures called follicles, which are nestled in the ovaries. Each month, the pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a chemical that prompts the follicles to mature. As the eggs ripen, the follicles increase estrogen production.

 

Some estrogen travels to the brain, where it tells the pituitary gland to stop making FSH and to start releasing luteinizing hormone (LH). LH causes the release of a mature egg into the fallopian tube and also stimulates progesterone production. Together, estrogen and progesterone cause the uterine lining to thicken in preparation for a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels decline, causing the uterine lining to slough away as a period and prompting the pituitary gland to release FSH again.

 

But by the time a woman reaches her mid-40s or so, the ovaries have become less responsive to FSH, setting the stage for perimenopause. To compensate, the pituitary gland produces even more FSH in an effort to stimulate ovulation. Meanwhile, without a maturing follicle in the picture, estrogen production is minimal and the pituitary gland never receives the signal to stop making FSH. As a result, FSH levels can skyrocket. If and when the ovaries finally do respond, a sudden estrogen surge may occur.

 

This hormonal mayhem can wreak havoc on a woman’s well-being. Forgetfulness, mood swings, weight gain, irregular periods, hot flashes, insomnia, headaches, bloating and severe PMS are among the symptoms that may occur when hormonal messages get mixed.