What is Estrogen?
As the female body matures and reaches the stage of puberty, the production of progesterone and estrogen increases. Estrogen is defined as the sex hormone that females have. Estrogen and progesterone, both are responsible for providing certain physical characteristics in female bodies. These hormones also tend to play a very important role in the process of reproduction.
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While the male bodies also produce estrogen, the amount is pretty small when compared to the females. In this article, students are going to learn about the hormone estrogen and estrogen function.
Why is Estrogen Hormone Considered Important?
The hormone named estrogen is rightfully called the sex hormone of the female body. Since this is a sex hormone, it plays a very important role in the reproduction process. This means it has a pivotal role in the creation of the ova or the eggs in the female reproductive system. These hormones also provide women with the physical characteristics and features that they have.
Estrogen can be found in the body of a girl who is changing into a woman. This is the time when they reach puberty. Some of the changes that are seen in the female body due to the presence of estrogen are the growth in the size of their breasts and growth in underarm and pubic hair. It also assists at the beginning of the menstrual cycle in females. The estrogen hormone helps in controlling the menstrual cycle and hence is an important component during childbearing and childbirth.
There are some other examples of estrogen function that are not commonly known. It has been found that estrogen can keep the levels of cholesterol in the body in control. It also assists in the protection of bone health in the case of men as well as women. A hormone like estrogen also has an effect on the brain and mood in females. It can affect the heart, skin, bones, as well as other tissues in the body.
How does Estrogen Hormone Work?
The ovaries that are known as the egg producers in the female reproductive system are the ones responsible for the secretion of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These ovaries are the main sources from where the body is provided with the hormone. Apart from that, the adrenal glands that are present in the kidney also produce smaller amounts of estrogen. The fat tissue is also responsible for the production of small amounts of estrogen in the body. This hormone travels through the bloodstream and hence has the ability to reach anywhere in a female body.
What goes Wrong with the Estrogen Levels?
In some rare cases, the female body isn’t able to create the right level of estrogen that is needed. Hence, people who have this condition tend to take estrogen rich foods such as flaxseeds, soybeans, garlic, sesame seeds, peaches, etc. in order to raise the levels of estrogen in their bodies. There are also some cases where women tend to consume too much estrogen due to estrogen replacement therapy or birth control pills. Hence, it is important to keep track of all the symptoms that the body is showing in order to know whether the estrogen levels in the body are high or not.
The body of females creates three different types of estrogen
Estradiol (E2) is known to be the most common type of all and is secreted by women who are at the age of bearing children
Estriol (E3) is known to be the main type of estrogen that is secreted by the ovaries during the period of pregnancy.
Estrone (E1) is the type of estrogen that will be created in the body after the women have gone through their menopausal stage.
The estrogen levels go through phases of change during the entire period of a whole month. The highest levels of estrogens are produced during the middle of the menstrual cycle in females. The level of estrogen is dropped when the women reach menopause.
Estrogen Function in Females
Some of the cases where women have low levels of estrogen hormone in their bodies are during the periods of menopause. Low estrogen levels can cause symptoms such as delay in menstrual cycles, hot flashes, trouble while sleeping, thinning & dryness of the vagina, lessened sexual desire, mood swings, and dry skin. It is seen that some women tend to experience a condition that is known as menstrual migraine. Hence, with proper levels of estrogen, all these problems can be taken away.
Estrogen Function in Males
Just like in women, the levels of estrogen in men during the time of puberty also facilitate the different physical changes that are experienced by them. Some of the changes include facial and chest hair, muscle development, voice deepening, and so much more. Not to mention that it also helps in improving bone density in both genders. With proper levels of estrogen in their bodies, males can actually drop their levels of cholesterol and bring it to a normal level.
Conclusion
Estrogen is a highly functioning sex hormone that is produced in the body of both females and males during puberty. However, the amount of estrogen produced in males is a lot lower than in females. Hence, this hormone plays a very important role in facilitating all the important physical characteristics that can be seen in females such as large breasts, growth of hair, and the basic physical appearance.
FAQs on Estrogen
1. What is estrogen and where is it primarily produced in the human body?
Estrogen is a primary female sex hormone, though it is also present in males in smaller amounts. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. In females, the vast majority of estrogen is produced in the ovaries. Smaller amounts are also produced by the adrenal glands and fat tissues.
2. What are the main functions of estrogen in the female body?
Estrogen plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, particularly in females. Its primary functions include:
- Puberty: It stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast growth, widening of the hips, and the growth of pubic and underarm hair.
- Menstrual Cycle: Estrogen helps regulate the menstrual cycle, primarily by causing the uterine lining (endometrium) to thicken in preparation for pregnancy.
- Bone Health: It helps in maintaining bone density and strength in both sexes.
- Cardiovascular Health: It has a positive effect on cholesterol levels, which can contribute to heart health.
3. What are the different types of estrogen and their roles?
There are three main types of estrogen naturally produced by the body, each dominant at different life stages:
- Estradiol (E2): This is the most potent and common type of estrogen found in females of childbearing age. It is primarily responsible for menstrual cycle regulation and the development of female characteristics.
- Estriol (E3): This is the main estrogen produced during pregnancy, secreted in large amounts by the placenta.
- Estrone (E1): This is a weaker form of estrogen and is the primary type found in the body after menopause. It is mainly produced in fat tissue.
4. What are the common symptoms associated with low estrogen levels?
Low estrogen levels, most commonly experienced during menopause, can lead to several noticeable symptoms. These include irregular or absent menstrual periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness and thinning, decreased libido, mood swings, and dry skin. A decline in estrogen can also contribute to bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
5. What are the potential health issues linked to high estrogen levels?
Consistently high levels of estrogen (a condition known as estrogen dominance) can also cause health problems. Symptoms may include weight gain, particularly around the hips and waist, worsening of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fibrocystic lumps in the breasts, fatigue, and heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding. In some cases, it can increase the risk for certain health conditions.
6. How do estrogen and progesterone work together to regulate the menstrual cycle?
Estrogen and progesterone work in a coordinated, yet opposing, manner to control the menstrual cycle. In the first half (follicular phase), estrogen levels rise, causing the uterine lining to grow and thicken. After ovulation, the corpus luteum produces progesterone. Progesterone's role is to maintain this thickened lining, making it ready for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, both estrogen and progesterone levels fall, triggering the breakdown of the uterine lining and leading to menstruation.
7. What is the importance of estrogen in the male body?
Although known as a female hormone, estrogen is also essential for male health, albeit in much smaller quantities. In males, estrogen plays a key role in modulating libido, supporting erectile function, and regulating sperm production (spermatogenesis). It is also vital for maintaining bone density, similar to its function in females. The balance between testosterone and estrogen is critical for normal male reproductive and skeletal health.
8. Is there any difference between the terms 'oestrogen' and 'estrogen'?
No, there is no biological or chemical difference between 'oestrogen' and 'estrogen'. They refer to the exact same hormone. The variation is simply a matter of spelling conventions. 'Estrogen' is the standard spelling in American English, while 'oestrogen' is the traditional spelling used in British and Commonwealth English. Both terms are correct and interchangeable.
