Ovulation The release of a mature egg from an ovary. The time before a woman's final menstrual cycle where periods become shorter, lighter, less frequent and less predictable. This reflects a gradual decrease in estrogen production by a woman's ovaries. Postmenopausal Refers to the time following menopause. Progesterone Progesterone is a steroid hormone, produced naturally in a woman's ovaries during the second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation has occurred.
Progesterone is one of the hormones that decline as a woman reaches menopause.
Progestin A synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, which is one of the two main hormones regulating a woman's menstrual cycle. Progestins are used in many contraceptives, including birth control pills, implants and injections. Progestins are also used in combination and progestin-only hormone replacement therapies for menopausal women who still have their uterus intact. Sequential HRT A hormone replacement therapy regimen involving administration of continuous estrogen throughout the month and usually 10 to 14 days of progestin in repeating cycles. Sequential HRT mimics a woman's natural menstrual cycle.