If you're pregnant, you've probably noticed a lot of changes happening in your body. Many of these changes are due to hormones. So, today we're going to talk about a hormone that's very important during pregnancy, but you may not have heard of it. It's called estriol.
What is this estriol?
Simply put, estriol is one of the three types of estrogen hormones in our bodies. Especially if you are pregnant, your levels of estriol increase throughout your pregnancy. This helps keep your baby and your uterus healthy. It reaches its peak just before delivery.
Estriol is produced in the body of both non-pregnant women and men. However, the amount is very small, sometimes undetectable. Other names for it are 'oestriol' and E3.
What happens to estriol during pregnancy?
Compared to other estrogen hormones, estriol has a special role during pregnancy. Here's what it does:
- Helps your uterus grow: As your baby grows, your uterus needs to grow to accommodate it. That's what estriol helps with. Think of it like making room for the baby.
- It sensitizes the body to other pregnancy hormones: Estriol helps your body respond properly to other important hormones that are active during pregnancy. That is, it paves the way for other hormones to do their jobs properly.
- Prepares the body for childbirth and breastfeeding: It is said that this helps prepare your body for childbirth and later for breastfeeding. Isn't this amazing?
Estriol levels usually start to rise around eight weeks into pregnancy. They continue to rise. They peak about three weeks before you give birth. Some researchers think that these rising estriol levels are part of the body's preparation for labor. But they don't know for sure yet, and they're still researching it.
Estriol as a medicine
Now we've talked about estriol, which is naturally produced in the body. There's also a type of estriol that's made in a lab. This is called a bioidentical hormone. That means it's made to look exactly like the hormone we have in our bodies. Sometimes doctors may recommend this as hormone therapy for the symptoms of menopause. You know, even though menopause is a natural part of a woman's life, it can be a bit annoying, like hot flashes and insomnia.
But here's a little something. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States has not approved this medication for treating menopausal symptoms in this way. Most of the time, these are only available from specialty pharmacies, that is, compounding pharmacies. So before you use something like this , you should definitely talk to your doctor. He or she is the one who should tell you whether this is right for you or not.
Researchers are still investigating other possible uses of estriol. They think that lab-made estriol may also help with:
- Improve cognitive function. That means things like memory and attention.
- Reduce menstrual migraines.
- Reduce skin wrinkles.
- Treat diseases associated with inflammation in the nervous system, for example, multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Treat postpartum depression.
But remember, these benefits are still in the research stage (off-label use) and have not been fully proven. So you should definitely talk to your doctor before using estriol for this purpose.
How is estriol produced in the body?
Most of the time, the placenta is responsible for producing estriol. The placenta is a very important organ that provides nutrition and oxygen to the baby during pregnancy. But there are several steps involved in the production of estriol. Imagine this:
1. First, your baby's adrenal glands produce a hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). This is the first ingredient.
2. Then, the baby's liver converts this DHEAS into another chemical called 16a-hydroxy-DHEAS. This also happens inside the baby's body.
3. This chemical goes to the placenta and is converted into estriol. The placenta is like a factory that takes this chemical and makes estriol.
4. Finally , this produced estriol enters your blood. Only then does it help your body and the baby.
You see, this is a bit of a complicated process. But in simple terms, the baby's body parts and the placenta work together to make this important hormone. This shows how amazing the bond between mother and baby is!
When do doctors check estriol levels?
Doctors usually test estriol levels between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy (the second trimester). This is done as part of a test called triple marker or quad marker screening. This test helps to find out if the baby has any congenital conditions/birth defects. This is a very important test because if something is detected early, it can be treated.
A quad marker test measures the levels of the hormones estriol and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), as well as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and inhibin-A. Doctors use all of these together to make a diagnosis.
If you have any risk factors for these congenital conditions, your doctor may recommend an estriol blood test or a quad screen. What are those risk factors?
- Being over 35 years old (advanced maternal age).
- If you have diabetes .
- If someone in the family has had such conditions from birth (biological family history).
- If you develop viral infections such as Hepatitis A or Zika virus during pregnancy.
If something like this happens, don't worry. The doctor will give you the necessary advice.
How are estriol levels measured?
During pregnancy, you can get a blood test or a urinalysis to measure your estrogen levels, specifically estriol. A blood test is very simple. It involves taking a small amount of blood from your doctor or a lab. It may be a little painful, but it will go away quickly.
But a more accurate way to measure estriol levels is with a 24-hour urine test. In this, you collect your urine in a container for 24 hours and take it to your doctor or a lab. While this may seem like a hassle, it helps to get an accurate result.
Nowadays, there are at-home test kits that can measure estrogen levels in saliva. But if you are pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend a more reliable method, as testing during pregnancy is very important.
What do abnormal estriol levels mean?
Low estriol levels during pregnancy can indicate a problem with the placenta . It can also sometimes indicate a change in the baby, such as Down syndrome . But remember, this is not something that can be determined with just one test. More tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
On the other hand, if your estriol levels suddenly increase before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it could mean that you are at risk of premature labor . If so, your doctor will provide you with the necessary advice and treatment.
Also, those with low estriol levels near labor may not go into labor naturally. In that case, doctors may have to use other methods to induce labor (labor induction methods).
Your doctor will explain these test results to you and what they mean. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Depending on the results, they may recommend further testing (such as an ultrasound) or refer you to a genetic counselor.
Estriol is a hormone that plays a very important role during pregnancy. Your doctor may want to check your estriol levels along with other tests during your pregnancy. It's normal to feel worried when a test result comes back abnormal. But remember, your doctor will explain the results to you and give you the support you need.
So, what should we remember from this?
Okay, so to put it simply, estriol is a hormone that is essential for you and your baby during pregnancy. It helps the uterus grow, the baby grow healthily, and the body prepare for childbirth. Doctors look at its levels to help detect certain conditions early.
The most important thing is that if you have any questions or concerns about your estriol levels or related tests, talk to your doctor. They are the best people to explain them to you and give you the guidance you need. So don't be afraid to ask questions and be clear about everything. Your health and that of your baby are the most important things.
` Estriol, pregnancy, hormones, placenta, childbirth, quad marker, estrogen
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