Everything you need to know about estrogen

Estrogen is a hormone that plays a role in both the male and female reproductive systems. In females, it contributes to reproductive and breast health, among other functions.
Estrogen contributes to cognitive health, bone health, the function of the cardiovascular system, and other essential bodily processes.
cognitive health
cardiovascular system
However, most people know it for its role alongside progesterone in female sexual and reproductive health.
progesterone
The ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat tissues produce estrogen. Both female and male bodies have this hormone, but females create more of it.
In this article, we look at estrogen in more detail, including how it works, what happens when the levels fluctuate, and medical uses.
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
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Types of estrogen
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There are different types of estrogen:
This type of estrogen is present in the body after menopause. It is a weaker form of estrogen and one that the body can convert to other forms of estrogen, as necessary.
after menopause
Both males and females produce estradiol, and it is the most common type of estrogen in females during their reproductive years.
Too much estradiol may result in acne, loss of sex drive, osteoporosis, and depression. Very high levels can increase the risk of uterine and breast cancer. However, low levels can result in weight gain and cardiovascular disease.
Too much
Levels of estriol rise during pregnancy, as it helps the uterus grow and prepares the body for delivery. Estriol levels peak just before birth.
during pregnancy
Function
Estrogen enables the following organs to function:
Ovaries: Estrogen helps stimulate the growth of the egg follicle.
helps stimulate
Vagina: In the vagina, estrogen maintains the thickness of the vaginal wall and promotes lubrication.
maintains the thickness
Uterus: Estrogen enhances and maintains the mucous membrane that lines the uterus. It also regulates the flow and thickness of uterine mucus secretions.
Breasts: The body uses estrogen in the formation of breast tissue. This hormone also helps stop the flow of milk after weaning.
Levels of estrogen
Estrogen levels vary among individuals. They also fluctuate during the menstrual cycle and over a female’s lifetime. This fluctuation can sometimes produce effects such as mood changes before menstruation or hot flashes in menopause.
mood changes
Factors that can affect estrogen levels include:
pregnancy, the end of pregnancy, and breastfeeding
puberty
menopause
older age
overweight and obesity
obesity
extreme dieting or anorexia nervosa
anorexia nervosa
strenuous exercise or training
the use of certain medications, including steroids, ampicillin, estrogen-containing drugs, phenothiazines, and tetracyclines
some congenital conditions, such as Turner’s syndrome
high blood pressure
high blood pressure
diabetes
diabetes
primary ovarian insufficiency
an underactive pituitary gland
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
tumors of the ovaries or adrenal glands
Learn more about high estrogen levels and low estrogen levels here.
high estrogen levels
low estrogen levels
Estrogen imbalance
An imbalance of estrogen leads to:
leads to
irregular or no menstruation
light or heavy bleeding during menstruation
more severe premenstrual or menopausal symptoms
hot flashes, night sweats, or both
noncancerous lumps in the breast and uterus
mood changes and sleeping problems
weight gain, mainly in the hips, thighs, and waist
low sexual desire
vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy
fatigue
fatigue
mood swings
mood swings
feelings of depression and anxiety
depression
anxiety
dry skin
Some of these effects are common during menopause.
Some hereditary and other conditions can lead to high levels of estrogen in males, which can result in:
infertility
infertility
erectile dysfunction
erectile dysfunction
larger breasts, known as gynecomastia
Males with low estrogen levels may have excess belly fat and low libido.
Estrogen sources and uses
If a person has low levels of estrogen, a doctor may prescribe supplements or medication.
Estrogen products include:
synthetic estrogen
bioidentical estrogen
Premarin, which contains estrogens from the urine of pregnant mares
Estrogen therapy can help manage menopause symptoms as part of hormone therapy, which people usually refer to as hormone replacement therapy.
hormone replacement therapy
The treatment may consist solely of estrogen (estrogen replacement therapy, or ERT), or it may involve a combination of estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone.
Hormone treatment is available as a pill, nasal spray, patch, skin gel, injection, vaginal cream, or ring.
It can help manage:
hot flashes
vaginal dryness
painful intercourse
painful intercourse
mood changes
sleep disorders
anxiety
decreased sexual desire
It may also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, which increases when people enter menopause.
menopause
Side effects include:
include
bloating
breast soreness
headaches
leg cramps
indigestion
nausea
vaginal bleeding
fluid retention, leading to swelling
Some types of hormone therapy can also increase the risk of a stroke, blood clots, and uterine and breast cancer. A doctor can advise a person on whether estrogen therapy is suitable for them.
increase the risk
In addition to menopause, estrogen therapy can also help resolve:
help resolve
primary ovarian insufficiency
other ovarian issues
some types of acne
some cases of prostate cancer
delayed puberty, for example, in Turner’s syndrome
delayed puberty
High levels of estrogen can increase the risk and progression of some types of breast cancer. Some hormone treatments block the action of estrogen as a way of slowing or stopping cancer development.
block the action
Hormonal therapy is not for everyone. A family history of breast cancer or thyroid issues may contradict using hormones. People who are unsure can speak to a doctor.
A doctor can prescribe estrogen as part of the therapy for a person assigned male at birth who wishes to transition to female. The person may also need anti-androgenic treatment.
prescribe estrogen
Estrogen can help a person develop female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breasts, and reduce male pattern hair formation.
Estrogen therapy will be part of a broader treatment approach. A healthcare professional can advise the individual on the best course of treatment.
Birth control pills contain either synthetic estrogen and progestin or progestin only.
Some types prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation, and they do this by ensuring that hormone levels do not fluctuate throughout the month.
They also make the mucus in the cervix thick so that any sperm cannot reach the egg.
Other uses include decreasing premenstrual symptoms and reducing the severity of hormone-related acne.
include
Birth control pills may increase the risk of:
heart attack
heart attack
stroke
stroke
blood clots
pulmonary embolism
pulmonary embolism
nausea and vomiting
headaches
headaches
irregular bleeding
weight changes
breast tenderness and swelling
Oral birth control presents more risk for women who smoke or are over the age of 35 years. Long-term use may also lead to a higher risk of breast cancer.
breast cancer
Food sources of estrogen
Some foods contain phytoestrogens, which are plant-based substances that resemble estrogen.
Some studies suggest that these may affect levels of estrogen in the body. However, there is not enough evidence to confirm this.
may affect levels
Foods that contain phytoestrogens include:
cruciferous vegetables
soy and some foods containing soy protein
berries
seeds and grains
nuts
fruit
wine
Some people believe that foods containing phytoestrogens can help manage hot flashes and other effects of menopause, but this does not have scientific backing.
In addition, eating whole soy foods, for example, is unlikely to have the same effect as taking extracts from soy as a supplement.
Supplements
Some herbs and supplements contain phytoestrogens, which act in a similar way to estrogen. These may help regulate estrogen and treat symptoms of menopause.
Examples are:
black cohosh
black cohosh
red clover
red clover
soy isoflavones
soy isoflavones
However, it is unclear exactly how these compounds affect estrogen and estrogen-related activity in the body, and there is not enough evidence to confirm that they are safe and effective, especially in the long term. Researchers have called for further studies.
In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not regulate herbal and nonmedicinal supplements. As a result, it is not possible to know exactly what a product contains.
People should check with a doctor before taking any supplements or medications.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions about estrogen.
Estrogen is involved in various bodily functions, including:
stimulation of egg follicle growth
vaginal lubrication and the maintenance of vaginal wall thickness
maintaining the mucous membrane in the uterus
development of breast tissue
High levels of estradiol, a type of estrogen, can cause the following:
acne
low sex drive
depression
higher risk of uterine and breast cancer
Low levels of estradiol may contribute to weight gain and cardiovascular disease. An estrogen imbalance may also cause symptoms such as:
changes in menstruation
hot flashes
mood changes
low sex drive
dry skin
Estrogen naturally fluctuates. However, an estrogen imbalance may make people feel depressed, anxious, or cause mood changes. Doctors may prescribe estrogen therapy to help treat these effects.