Estrogen is one of the key sex hormones that is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. It is primarily produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat tissues.
The three major naturally-occurring forms of estrogen in women are:
- Estrone (E1) - The lowest-potency estrogen that is produced after menopause.
- 17β-estradiol (E2) - The most abundant and potent estrogen in reproductive-aged women.
- Estriol (E3) - The estrogen produced in high amounts during pregnancy.
Some
key functions of estrogen include:
- Development of female reproductive organs like the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and vagina
- Regulation of the menstrual cycle
- Maintenance of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle
- Development of female secondary sex characteristics like breast growth, fat distribution around hips and thighs
- Regulation of cholesterol levels and bone maintenance
- Sex drive and vaginal lubrication
Estrogen levels peak during the reproductive years and start declining as women approach perimenopause and menopause. This leads to
menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, etc.
Hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen may help relieve some of these
menopausal symptoms. Consult your doctor to see if it's right for you.
If you're experiencing menopause difficulties, consider contacting Second Spring Hormone Clinic(/). Their compassionate doctors can assess your symptoms and design custom bioidentical hormone treatments to help you feel balanced and healthy again.
I hope this overview on estrogen helps provide some insight into this important hormone! Let me know if you have any other questions.