What is Estrogen?

Estrogens are a group of sex hormones that promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics in the human body.

They play an essential role in the growth and development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breasts, pubic and armpit hair, and the regulation of the menstrual cycle and reproductive system.

During the menstrual cycle, estrogen produces an environment suitable for the fertilization, implantation, and nutrition of an early embryo.

Hormones are chemical messengers that tell specific tissues to behave in a certain way.

During puberty, the ovaries begin releasing estrogen hormones in line with each monthly menstrual cycle. The estrogen level rises suddenly halfway through the cycle, which triggers the release of an egg. This level then quickly decreases after ovulation.

Estrogens usually travel through the bloodstream in fluids, interact with cells in a variety of tissues in the body, and deliver a message or instruction.

It is one of the most important hormones for women, alongside progesterone. Progesterone helps to maintain pregnancies and implant an egg in the uterus.

The related hormones in the estrogen family include:

• Estrone (E1): This is a weak form of estrogen and the only type found in women after the menopause. Small amounts of estrone are present in most tissues of the body, mainly fat and muscle. The body can convert estrone to estradiol and estradiol to estrone.
  
• Estradiol (E2): This is the strongest type of estrogen. Estradiol is a steroid produced by the ovaries. It is thought to contribute to a range of gynecological problems, such as endometriosis, fibroids, and cancers that occur in females, particularly endometrial cancer.
  
• Estriol (E3): This the weakest of the estrogens and is a waste product made after the body uses estradiol. Pregnancy is the only time at which significant amounts of estriol are made. Estriol cannot be converted to estradiol or estrone.

Far lower levels of estrogen are also present in men.