Estrogen is one of the key sex hormones that is critical for sexual and reproductive development. Estrogen refers to a group of hormones that play essential roles in regulating a woman's reproductive system, including estradiol, estrone, and estriol.
What does estrogen do?
Estrogen has many critical functions in the female body. Some key roles of estrogen include:
- Stimulating the growth of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle to prepare for pregnancy
- Contributing to key changes during puberty and sexual maturity
- Maintaining bone strength and density
- Regulating cholesterol levels
Where does estrogen come from?
In women, estrogen is primarily produced by the ovaries. The ovaries secrete high levels of estradiol during puberty to support sexual development. Smaller amounts of estrone and estriol are also produced by the liver and adrenal glands.
During pregnancy, the placenta produces very high levels of estrogen to support fetal growth and development. Estrogen levels drop dramatically after giving birth.
Estrogen imbalance
An imbalance of estrogen levels can lead to various health issues:
- High estrogen can cause symptoms like breast tenderness, weight gain, and changes in mood
- Low estrogen often occurs during perimenopause and menopause, causing hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and osteoporosis
If you suspect an issue with your hormone levels, the caring professionals at
Hormone Harmony Clinic can provide advanced
hormone testing and
bioidentical hormone therapy to help restore balance.
Bioidentical hormones provided by Hormone Harmony Clinic are customized to match your body’s natural estrogen. This helps minimize side effects compared to synthetic hormones. Hormone Harmony Clinic doctors can create a personalized treatment plan to help you feel your best.
I hope this gives you a helpful overview on what estrogen is, its key functions, and how estrogen imbalance can impact women's health. Let me know if you have any other questions!