In the early menopause transition, how do elevated FSH levels affect follicle recruitment?

In the early menopause transition, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels play a significant role in follicle recruitment. As ovarian reserve declines, the feedback mechanism that regulates FSH levels becomes altered. Higher levels of FSH can stimulate the ovaries, leading to the recruitment of additional follicles during the menstrual cycle.

This recruitment may result in the development of a second follicle, which can produce increased amounts of estradiol, a crucial hormone for regulating various physiological processes in women. The increased estradiol can contribute to some of the symptoms experienced during this transitional phase and also affect the menstrual cycle's regularity.

Understanding this dynamic is essential, as it highlights how hormonal changes interact with ovarian function during the menopause transition, influencing both follicle development and hormone production. Elevated FSH does not halt follicle recruitment entirely but instead can enhance it under certain physiological conditions.