What hormonal change is primarily responsible for the symptoms of menopause?

• A. Increased estrogen
• B. Decreased luteinizing hormone (LH)
• C. Decreased progesterone
• D. Decreased estrogen

Answer: (D)

The primary hormonal change responsible for the symptoms of menopause is a decrease in estrogen levels. As women approach menopause, typically in their late 40s to early 50s, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen, which is a crucial hormone for regulating the menstrual cycle, maintaining reproductive tissues, and influencing several other bodily functions.

The reduction in estrogen levels leads to various physical and psychological symptoms commonly associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. Estrogen is responsible for maintaining the health of the vaginal and urinary tract tissues, and its decline can lead to atrophy, causing discomfort and other issues.

In the context of the other hormonal changes, luteinizing hormone (LH) often increases due to reduced feedback inhibition from estrogen, which does not directly explain the menopausal symptoms. While progesterone also declines during this time, it is primarily estrogen deficiency that is directly linked to the hallmark symptoms experienced during menopause. Therefore, the decrease in estrogen is the key hormonal change that accounts for the signs and symptoms of menopause.