Hormonal characteristics of the human menstrual cycle throughout reproductive life.

Sherman, B M; Korenman, S G

doi:10.1172/jci107979

Cited by 587Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesOvarian function and disordersReproductive Biology and Fertility

Hormonal characteristics of the human menstrual cycle throughout reproductive life.

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Sherman, B M, Korenman, S G·1975·Journal of Clinical Investigation

DOI 10.1172/jci107979PMC PMC301805

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Abstract

The changes in serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FHS), estradiol, and progesterone that occur both early and late in reproductive life were characterized and compared with findings in young, normal women and in patients with certain menstrual disorders. A total of 50 complete menstrual cycles in 37 were examined. Five distinct patterns of hormonal regulation were found, three of which are reported here: (a) A long follicular phase and delayed follicular maturation in young women with long, unpredictable intermenstrual intervals from menarche; (b) a short follicular phase with increasing age and in short cycles in perimenopausal women; and (c) true anovulatory vaginal bleeding in long cycles in perimenopausal women. The short cycles before and during the menopausal transition were found to have lower E2 levels and high FSH concentrations throughout, while LH remained in the normal range. During long cycles in perimenopausal women, concentrations of LH and FSH were in the menopausal range. However, follicular maturation was observed months after high levels of gonadotropins were attained. These studies permit the characterization of the menstrual history of the normal woman in terms of the hormonal changes that occur and provide a basis for the definition of several disorders of follicular maturation.

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We found a significant decrease in cycle length with age.
“As earlier studies have already shown (11, 23–26), we found a significant decrease in cycle length with age (Table 1 and Figs. 2 and 3).”
From Women temporarily synchronize their menstrual cycles with the luminance and gravimetric cycles of the Moon (2021) · cites this paper as [24]

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Authors: Sherman, B. M., & Korenman, S. G.
Affiliations: University of Iowa (US)
ORCID: Korenman, S G
Venue: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Publisher: American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published: 1975-04-01
Volume: 55
Issue: 4
Pages: 699-706
ISSN: 0021-9738 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1172/jci107979
PMC: PMC301805
OpenAlex: W2166196669
Cited by: 587
References: 38
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 10
FWCI: 13.04
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Locations: Journal of Clinical Investigation (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
Keywords: menstrual cycle, reproductive period, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone, follicular phase, follicle maturation, perimenopause, menopause, anovulatory bleeding, menstrual disorders, gonadotropins, serum hormone levels
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Body Temperature, Estradiol, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Ovarian Follicle, Hormones, Humans, Luteinizing Hormone, Menopause, Menstruation, Menstruation Disturbances, Middle Aged, Progesterone, Reproduction, Time Factors

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Hormonal characteristics of the human menstrual cycle throughout reproductive life.

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