You've probably heard the word `Estrogen`, right? Especially as a woman, `Estrogen` is involved in many things in your life. Simply put, it's a very important chemical messenger in our body, a hormone. Let's talk a little more about `Estrogen`, shall we?
Are there types of estrogen?
Yes, there are three main types of estrogen. They are:
- Estrone (E1): This is the main type of estrogen produced in your body after menopause.
- Estradiol (E2): This is the main and most powerful type of estrogen in your body during your reproductive years, when you can have children.
- `Estriol (E3): This type of `Estrogen` is mainly active when you are pregnant.
What is the role of estrogen in female reproductive health?
Estrogen, like other hormones, is a chemical messenger that sends messages to our bodies. It tells us to start and stop processes related to your sexual and reproductive health. These processes cause important changes in your body.
Puberty
As you go through puberty, your estrogen levels increase. This increase is what causes secondary sexual characteristics to appear, such as breast development and the development of hips.
Menstrual cycle
Estrogen, along with hormones produced by your brain (FSH and LH) and progesterone, plays a major role in keeping your menstrual cycle regular . All of these hormones work in a delicate balance. Estrogen helps with ovulation, the release of an egg from your ovaries, and thickens the lining of your uterus (endometrium) to prepare for pregnancy.
Pregnancy & fertility
A few days before ovulation, estrogen levels peak. This is your fertile period. At the same time, estrogen thins the cervical mucus. It is through this mucus that sperm must swim to meet an egg. So, these changes caused by estrogen make it easier for you to get pregnant.
Also, no matter what stage of your menstrual cycle you are in, the presence of estrogen makes sexual intercourse easier. It helps keep the walls of the vagina thick, flexible, and moist, which reduces pain during intercourse.
Menopause
Shortly before menopause, called perimenopause, estrogen levels drop. This period can last for several years. Menopause officially begins when you stop having periods for 12 months. This usually happens around the age of 51. With menopause, your estrogen levels drop and you stop ovulating. This drop in estrogen can cause symptoms such as vaginal dryness, mood swings, night sweats, and hot flashes .
During this time, the main estrogen in your body changes from Estradiol (E2) to Estrone (E1).
How does estrogen affect male reproductive health?
Don't be surprised, estrogen also affects men's reproductive health. It affects sexual desire, arousal, and sperm production.
Low levels of estrogen can lead to decreased sexual desire. High levels can lead to infertility and erectile dysfunction. High levels of estrogen can also lead to breast enlargement (gynecomastia).
If you are a man and have concerns about your estrogen levels, it is a good idea to consult an endocrinologist or functional medicine specialist.
What other functions does estrogen have that are not related to reproduction?
Estrogen regulates important processes in the skeletal system, cardiovascular system, and central nervous system that affect your overall health. That means:
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood sugar levels
- Bone and muscle mass
- Circulation and blood flow
- Skin moisture and collagen production
- Brain function, including your ability to focus
Where is estrogen produced in the body?
During your reproductive years, most of your estrogen is produced by your ovaries. Estrogen is also produced by your adrenal glands (glands located above your kidneys) and adipose tissue. During pregnancy, estrogen is also secreted by the placenta (the organ that exchanges nutrients between the mother and fetus).
After being secreted, `Estrogen` travels through the bloodstream and goes to the part of the body where it needs to act. There, it binds to a protein called `Estrogen`, which is an `Estrogen receptor`, and the process begins. These `Estrogen receptors` are all over your body.
What are the common conditions related to estrogen?
Estrogen has an effect on many conditions related to women's health. Some of them are:
- Anorexia nervosa: In these conditions, estrogen levels are low. When estrogen levels are low, menstruation can become irregular or stop completely (amenorrhea). People with very low body fat (models, athletes) or those with irregular eating patterns can also have low estrogen levels.
- Breast cancer: Having high levels of estrogen over a long period of time (naturally or from some birth control methods, hormone replacement therapy (HRT)) can increase your risk of breast cancer. There are both benefits and risks to HRT. You can talk to your doctor to decide whether the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.
- Endometriosis: Estrogen does not cause endometriosis, but the pain caused by endometriosis may be increased by estrogen.
- Female sexual dysfunction (FSD): Decreased estrogen levels can cause physical and psychological changes that make sex less pleasurable. However, estrogen is not considered for hormone replacement therapy until you reach menopause.
- Fibrocystic breasts: Your breast tissue may feel lumpy, painful, or uncomfortable due to changes in estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle.
- Infertility: Low or high levels of estrogen can disrupt your menstrual cycle. Underlying conditions that cause low or high levels of estrogen can also be linked to infertility.
- Obesity: People with high body fat often have high estrogen levels.
- Osteoporosis: Low estrogen levels can cause your bones to become weak and break easily.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a condition in which the ovaries produce too much male hormones (androgens). Sometimes, in PCOS, estrogen levels can be high compared to progesterone levels.
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (premature menopause): In this condition, the ovaries stop producing eggs before the age of 40. Therefore, the ovaries do not produce the estrogen your body needs.
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): The cyclical hormonal changes associated with menstruation can cause unpleasant physical symptoms and mood swings. A drop in estrogen levels after ovulation can cause PMS and PMDD.
- Turner syndrome: People with Turner syndrome often have underdeveloped ovaries, which means they have low estrogen levels. This means that if you have this condition, you may not have breast development or menstruation.
- Uterine cancer (endometrial cancer): Increased estrogen levels can cause the lining of your uterus to thicken. Over time, cancer cells can begin to grow.
- Uterine fibroids and polyps: Too much estrogen can be linked to non-cancerous growths (fibroids) or polyps (polyps) growing in your uterus.
- Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis): The lining of the vagina can become thin and dry due to a decrease in estrogen. This is common during menopause and postmenopause.
The role of estrogen in conditions affecting other body systems is still being researched. For example, estrogen has been linked to some endocrine disorders and gastrointestinal diseases.
What are normal levels of estrogen?
Estrogen levels go up and down throughout life. This fluctuation is normal. For example, it is normal for estrogen levels to increase during puberty and decrease as you approach menopause. Estrogen levels increase during ovulation to help prepare your body for pregnancy. It is also normal for estrogen levels to decrease during menstruation, as changes related to pregnancy are no longer necessary.
If your estrogen levels are consistently low or high, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. You should talk to your doctor about it.
What happens if estrogen levels consistently decrease?
Low estrogen levels are often a sign that you are approaching menopause. Low estrogen can also indicate fertility problems, nutritional deficiencies, and conditions like Turner syndrome.
These can be seen as symptoms:
- Breast pain
- Weakened bones or bones that break easily
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Irregular menstruation or complete cessation of menstruation
- Headache, difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue, drowsiness, insomnia
- Mood swings, irritability, and depression
- Vaginal dryness, resulting in pain during sexual intercourse (Dyspareunia)
What happens if estrogen levels are constantly high?
Having too much estrogen in your body can be linked to a variety of conditions, including polyps, fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis, and ovarian cysts. Your estrogen levels can also increase because you have too much estrogen relative to your other sex hormone, progesterone. Medications that contain estrogen can also increase estrogen in your body.
These can be seen as symptoms:
- Decreased sexual desire
- Weight gain, especially around the waist and hips
- Irregular menstruation (bleeding at unexpected times, less or more)
- Worsening of symptoms associated with PMS or PMDD
How do I know my estrogen levels?
An estrogen test can measure your levels of Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), or Estriol (E3). Your doctor will do a simple blood test and send it to a lab for analysis.
What are the common treatments for estrogen-related diseases?
Hormone replacement therapy (HT) is a common treatment for women with low estrogen levels, especially those going through menopause. With HT, your doctor will either prescribe low doses of estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone (or a synthetic form of progesterone, called progestin) to increase estrogen levels. However, HT has risks, and it is not right for everyone. Talk to your doctor about whether HT is right for you.
How to maintain healthy estrogen levels?
Conditions related to hormonal imbalances can't always be prevented. However, there are some good habits you can adopt that will help maintain your overall health:
- Get enough sleep: Getting enough, uninterrupted sleep every night helps your body maintain healthy hormone levels needed to perform important functions.
- Manage stress: Excessive stress can cause your body to produce more of the stress hormones `(Cortisol)` and `(Adrenaline).` These excess stress hormones can cause a hormonal imbalance that negatively affects `(Oestrogen)` levels.
- Exercise the right amount: A healthy amount of exercise can help you control the amount of food you eat and the amount of fat you have in your body. It can also help you sleep better.
- Limit your alcohol consumption: Alcohol can increase your estrogen levels. Long-term exposure to estrogen can increase your risk of cancer.
- Follow good eating habits: Be mindful of the foods you eat to balance your hormones. Reducing sugary foods and eating a diet high in fiber and healthy fats (found in olive oil, nuts, and fish) can help balance hormones.
The most important thing for you to remember (Take-Home Message)
Estrogen is essential for your reproductive health and overall health. It's normal for estrogen levels to fluctuate with your age and menstrual cycle. However, if your levels are consistently high or low, you may experience unpleasant symptoms. It's important to talk to your doctor about this. There are often treatments that can help, such as birth control, lifestyle changes, or hormone therapy after menopause.
So, pay attention to the changes in your body, and if you have any concerns, don't be shy and talk to a doctor. Your health is very important to you!
` Estrogen, hormones, women's health, reproductive health, menstrual cycle, menopause, pregnancy
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