The ovaries are a pair of small, almond-shaped organs located on both sides of the uterus. They are responsible for producing the female hormones estrogen and progesterone as well as ovulating and releasing eggs during a woman's reproductive years.
After menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45-55, a woman stops having menstrual cycles and can no longer become pregnant naturally. This happens because the ovaries stop releasing eggs and dramatically decrease their production of estrogen and progesterone.
Changes That Occur
Some key changes that happen to the ovaries after menopause include:
- Ovarian aging: The ovaries age along with the rest of the body after menopause. Their ability to produce hormones decreases and eventually stops. The blood supply to the ovaries also diminishes.
- Decrease in size: Without having to produce and release eggs every month, the ovaries begin to shrink and become lighter in weight. By the time a woman reaches her 70s or 80s, the ovaries are only about half the size they were before menopause.
- Fewer follicles: From the time a woman hits puberty until perimenopause, follicles in the ovaries mature into eggs. After menopause, most of the follicles have died off or shrunk.
- Lower hormone levels: Estrogen and progesterone production drops by 60-80% in the first year after a woman’s final period. After that, hormone levels continue declining gradually. Over several years, estrogen levels end up 90% lower compared to premenopause.
Effects and Risks
The decreased functioning of the ovaries and decline in ovarian hormones causes a variety of effects and health risks, including:
- Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness
- Increased risk of osteoporosis and bone loss
- Changes in cholesterol levels
- Greater risk for cardiovascular disease
- Changes in mood, sleep, memory, and concentration
- Accelerated skin aging
Ovarian Cancer Risk
With the ovaries becoming smaller and more biologically inactive after menopause, the risk of
ovarian cancer also goes down. According to the American Cancer Society:
Roughly 1 out every 75 women will develop ovarian cancer at some point during her lifetime. By age 80, only 1 out of every 150 women still has ovarian tissue at risk of developing a cancer. Most of the risk seems to disappear over 15 to 20 years following the onset of menopause.
So while ovarian cancer can still occur after menopause, the risk is substantially reduced compared to during a woman's reproductive years. Getting routine age-appropriate health screenings is important to detect any problems early.
At
Hormone Harmony Clinic, we specialize in helping women manage menopause through
bioidentical hormone therapy. Our experienced medical providers offer comprehensive care including:
- Hormone level testing
- Custom treatment plans with FDA-approved bioidentical hormones
- Ongoing monitoring and dosage adjustments
- Nutrition, supplement guidance
- Lifestyle recommendations
We recognize every woman’s experience with menopause is unique. Our goal is to develop personalized care tailored specifically to your needs, health history, and goals so you can feel your best during this transition and beyond.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take charge of your menopausal health.
