What hormonal changes occur during menopause?

During menopause, the primary hormonal change is a significant decrease in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal shift is primarily due to the natural aging process of the ovaries, which gradually lose their ability to produce these hormones. Estrogen levels fall dramatically, leading to various physiological changes and symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Progesterone levels also decline because the ovarian follicles that produce this hormone are no longer maturing regularly.

In contrast to the correct answer, elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone would not align with the physiological changes observed during menopause. Fluctuating testosterone levels are not a primary feature of menopause, as the changes in testosterone are typically less pronounced than those in estrogen and progesterone. Stable levels of adrenal hormones do not occur during menopause; while adrenal hormones may have a role in some post-menopausal symptoms, they do not experience the same marked decrease associated with ovarian hormones.