Basically, estrogen is a female sex hormone, produced most intensely by ovarian follicles. Discover everything about it.
Certainly, estrogen is the most popular female hormone there is. Also called estrogen, it is a female sex hormone produced more intensely by ovarian follicles.
Above all, it begins to be produced in adolescence and continues until menopause. In contrast, in men, levels of this hormone are lower. Despite this, they contribute to the regulation of bone health and the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.
It is responsible for checking women’s feminine characteristics, such as breast size, skin texture and shine and controlling ovulation and preparing the uterus for reproduction.
Furthermore, it is the source of cholesterol within the body. From puberty onwards, it plays an important role in the menstrual cycle. There are four types of estrogen:
- Estradiol: essential for pregnancy to occur. Furthermore, it has more than 300 functions in the female body;
- Estrone: predominant in women after menopause;
- Estriol: byproduct of estrone metabolism, being more important during pregnancy;
- Androstenedione: steroid hormone with weak androgenic activity.
In contrast, during menopause, the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, a period in which the possibility of hormone replacement therapy is considered.
It facilitates communication between cells throughout the body. Cells that have estrogen receptors have functions that are activated or deactivated by it. In other words, a key that makes the body work.
Functions of estrogen
Firstly, this hormone is responsible for female secondary sexual characteristics. Therefore, it plays an important role in the menstrual cycle.
During menopause, on the other hand, there is a decrease in estrogen release. Below, in fact, you can see the main functions of estrogen:
- Stimulates the growth of the endometrium of the uterus, preparing it for fertilization;
- Regulates the distribution of fat in the body;
- Breast development;
- Growth of pubic hair;
- Stimulates the development of the labia minora and majora of the vulva;
- Influence on female behavior during the menstrual cycle;
- Protects nerve cells.
Estrogen production
Firstly, estrogen is produced by the ovaries and placenta. Its synthesis, in fact, is regulated by two other hormones called gonadotropins, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone).
In the follicular phase, the beginning of the menstrual cycle, therefore, the release of FSH occurs. This will promote the maturation of ovarian follicles to allow ovulation. The ovary then increases estrogen production in order to prepare the uterus for a possible pregnancy.
During the ovulatory phase, estrogen stimulates the release of the hormone LH by the pituitary gland, responsible for selecting the most mature egg during ovulation. This basically occurs until the 14th day of the menstrual cycle.
The luteal phase is the last phase of the cycle and begins around the last 12 days, characterized by the predominance of the hormone progesterone. There is also moderate production of estrogen.
If fertilization has occurred, progesterone and estrogen levels remain high to ensure the lining of the uterus until the placenta is formed.
Estrogen deficiency
Firstly, some problems can result in little production of the hormone, reducing its levels in the body. The main effects are as follows:
- Fatigue;
- Insomnia;
- Anxiety;
- Headaches;
- Irritability;
- Hot flashes and night sweats;
- Reduction in sexual libido;
- Dryness of the vagina;
- Attention difficulties;
- Memory reduction.
Basically, to balance the hormone level, you can consume some foods that contain phytosterols. That is, sterols naturally present in plants. Above all, they help with hormonal balance.
Therefore, foods such as tofu, natô, miso and flaxseed are good sources of this.
Excess estrogen
Furthermore, it can be produced in greater quantities by the body in cases of polycystic ovaries, ovarian tumors and the use of some types of medication. Some symptoms are:
- Weight gain;
- Irregular menstrual cycle;
- Difficulties getting pregnant;
- Breast swelling.
Hormone and contraceptive
Above all, most contraceptives contain estrogen and progestogen. Additionally, combined oral contraceptives contain ethinyl estradiol, a synthetic estrogen. In other words, they start to interrupt normal communication between the brain and the ovaries, so that:
- Firstly, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle do not occur.
- So follicles are less likely to mature to the final stage, meaning less of this natural product is produced.
- Consequently, ovulation does not occur;
- Above all, follicle growth and ovulation are disrupted, natural estrogen production is affected, and may be responsible for any side effects or changes you may experience after starting to use the pill.
Did you like this article? Then you might also like this: This is what happens if a man takes female contraceptives
Source: Hello Clue Toda Matéria Natue
Featured image: Notícias ao Minuto
