Let's know everything about Estrogen: The super hormone of the female body!

You've probably heard the word estrogen. Do you know how important this hormone is to every stage of your life, especially as a woman? Estrogen is a key player in controlling many of the changes that occur in your body, from puberty as a girl, to menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and finally menopause. So let's talk about it simply and politely today.

What is estrogen, simply put?

Simply put, estrogen is a chemical messenger in your body. Like a postman, a hormone carries messages from one part of the body to another, signaling certain processes to start or stop. Estrogen is one of the two main sex hormones in a girl's body. The other is progesterone.

Although this hormone is more abundant in women's bodies, everyone's bodies, including men's bodies, produce small amounts of estrogen. This is because estrogen helps with many other important functions in the body in addition to reproductive health.

What are the main types of estrogen?

There are three main types of estrogen in our bodies, each of which is important at different times in life.

How does estrogen affect a woman's life?

Think about it, from a girl becoming a teenager, to becoming a mother, and all the changes her body undergoes over time, estrogen is like a director silently controlling everything from behind the scenes.

Puberty

When a girl reaches puberty, estrogen levels rise rapidly. This is what causes the development of secondary female sexual characteristics, such as breast development and widening of the hips.

Menstrual cycle

A balance of several hormones is essential for your monthly period to occur on time and in a regular manner. Estrogen plays a major role in this process, along with the hormones FSH and LH, which are produced in the brain, and progesterone. Estrogen helps to release an egg from the ovaries (ovulation) and to thicken the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to prepare for conception.

Pregnancy & fertility

Estrogen levels peak a few days before ovulation. This is when you are most fertile. Estrogen also helps thin cervical mucus, making it easier for sperm to swim to an egg. All of this happens to prepare your body for pregnancy.

Menopause

As you approach age 50, estrogen levels begin to gradually decline during the period before menopause (perimenopause). Finally, menopause is said to have occurred when you have stopped menstruating for 12 months. This drop in estrogen is what causes symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings .

Does estrogen also affect the male body?

Yes, absolutely. Men have estrogen in their bodies, although in much smaller amounts, but it is also very important. Estrogen also affects men's sex drive, erections, and sperm production.

Men can also experience problems if their estrogen levels become too high . For example, conditions such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and breast enlargement (gynecomastia) can occur.

Other functions of estrogen besides reproductive health

Estrogen is not just a hormone limited to the reproductive system. It affects your overall health.

• Bones: Estrogen helps keep bones strong. As estrogen levels decrease after menopause, bones become weak and the risk of osteoporosis increases.
• Heart and blood vessels (Cardiovascular system): Estrogen also helps control blood cholesterol levels.
• Skin: Estrogen also helps keep the skin healthy and youthful by helping to maintain skin moisture and collagen production.
• Brain: Estrogen also has an effect on controlling memory, attention, and mood.

What happens when estrogen levels decrease and increase?

It's normal for estrogen levels to fluctuate throughout life. However, if they continue to be abnormally low or high, it could be a sign of a medical condition.

Diseases that may be related to estrogen levels

Imbalances in estrogen levels can cause various medical conditions or exacerbate their symptoms.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): In this condition, estrogen levels can sometimes be high relative to the hormone progesterone.
• Endometriosis: Although estrogen does not cause this disease, estrogen can increase pain in someone with the disease.
• Uterine fibroids and polyps: Increased estrogen levels may be linked to these non-cancerous growths in the uterus.
• Osteoporosis: A condition in which bones become thin and break easily due to decreased estrogen levels.
• Breast and Uterine Cancer: Exposing the body to high levels of estrogen over a long period of time can increase the risk of some types of cancer.
• Infertility: Abnormally low or high estrogen levels can disrupt the menstrual cycle and affect fertility.

What can we do to keep estrogen levels healthy?

Although hormonal imbalances cannot always be prevented, following a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in keeping hormone levels balanced.

• Get good sleep: Getting a good night's sleep without interruption is essential for hormonal balance in the body.
• Manage stress: Excessive stress causes the production of hormones like cortisol, which can disrupt the balance of estrogen and other hormones.
• Proper exercise: Exercising the right amount for your body helps with weight control, sleep, and hormone balance.
• Limit alcohol: Alcohol can increase estrogen levels in the body.
• A healthy diet: Reducing sugary foods and eating foods rich in fiber and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, and fish) is very good for hormonal balance.

If you have any doubts about your estrogen levels, you can get them measured with a simple blood test. So, if you're feeling uncomfortable, never hesitate to talk to a doctor about it.

Estrogen, female hormones, menopause, menstruation, women's health