We've all heard of "hormones," right? Especially when talking about women's health, the word "estrogen" is often heard. But did you know that estrogen is not just one hormone, but a combination of three main types? One of those three types is "estrone," which we're going to talk about today. While this may sound like a bit of a medical term, it's very important for our bodies, especially women's bodies. So let's see what it is, why it's important, and what happens when it increases or decreases.
The three members of the estrogen family
Simply put, estrogen is a group of female sex hormones. Like siblings in the same family, these hormones work together. There are three main members of this family.
| Hormone type | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Estradiol (E2) | This is the most important and powerful person in the family. It is he who has the most influence on a woman's reproductive health throughout her life. It is he who controls the monthly menstrual cycle. |
| Estriol (Estriol - E3) | This hormone is especially prominent during pregnancy. During pregnancy, this hormone increases significantly in the body. |
| Estrone (Estrone - E1) | This is the one we're talking about today. It's a little weaker than the other two. But its importance comes after menopause . After menopause, the only type of estrogen that is naturally produced in the body is estrone. |
So you can see that after menopause, that is, after menstruation has completely stopped, a woman's body's estrogen needs are somewhat met by this hormone called estrone (E1). Therefore, women's estrone levels after menopause are usually higher than before. This hormone is also produced in very small amounts in men's bodies.
Where is this estrone produced in our body? What is its use?
Like other estrogens, the hormone estrone is produced primarily in our adrenal glands and adipose tissue. In addition, some amounts are also produced in the ovaries.
Its main function is to support female sexual function and reproductive health. But as we mentioned earlier, it is not as potent as estradiol (E2). But estrone's unique ability is to act as a storehouse of estrogen when the body needs it.
Imagine, if the body needs a more potent form of estrogen, estradiol (E2), our body can take this estrone (E1) and convert it into estradiol (E2). It's like money in the bank. You can get it when you need it.
In this way, estradiol, which is formed from estrone, and estradiol naturally present in the body combine to help maintain many things in our body healthy.
- The strength of our bones (Bone health)
- Cognitive function
- Production of nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels function properly
This hormone is very important for things like...
Symptoms of low estrogen levels
Whether the level of estrogen hormone is low or high, our body can experience discomfort. These conditions can affect both women and men. Let's see what these symptoms are.
| Symptoms of low estrogen levels | Symptoms of increased estrogen levels |
|---|---|
For women:
For men:
| For women:
For men:
|
What causes abnormal estrone levels?
There are several reasons why estrone levels can increase. As we discussed earlier, estrone is produced in the fat tissue of our body. Therefore, estrone levels can increase in a person who is obese .
In addition, some medical conditions can also cause elevated estrone levels.
- Breast cancer
- Because some treatments for prostate cancer reduce testosterone levels
Low estrogen levels, including estrone, can increase the risk of osteoporosis , a bone-thinning disease. Low estrone levels can also be a cause of the fatigue, hot flashes, and decreased sex drive that some women experience after menopause.
Important: It is important to remember that elevated estrone levels can increase the risk of developing breast cancer and uterine cancer. But this is just a risk. If you have any doubts or concerns about this, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about it.
What can we do to balance hormones?
There are some simple lifestyle habits we can adopt to avoid the discomforts caused by hormonal imbalance and stay healthy. These will help balance not only your estrone levels, but your entire hormonal system.
- Eat a well-balanced diet: Try to eat a well-balanced diet with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and protein.
- Exercise regularly: Include both cardiovascular exercise, such as walking and running, and resistance training, such as weight lifting.
- Manage stress: Stress is one of the biggest enemies of hormones. Things like meditation and talking to a trusted person can help reduce stress.
- Get enough sleep: Get at least seven hours of good sleep a day. Also, turning off electronic devices like phones and TVs at least an hour before going to bed helps you sleep better.
Take-Home Message
- Estrone is a member of the estrogen family of major female hormones. It is the main type of estrogen produced naturally in the body after menopause.
- When needed, this hormone can be converted into estradiol, a more potent form of estrogen.
- Low or high estrogen levels can cause various symptoms, such as irregular bleeding, extreme fatigue, mental problems, and insomnia.
- A healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and good sleep go a long way in keeping hormones balanced.
- If you have any concerns or doubts about the symptoms mentioned in this article, be sure to talk to your doctor about it and seek advice.
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