Estrogen - Revive Hormones

Estrogen is one of the key sex hormones that is critical for sexual and reproductive development. It is most often associated with females, but males also require some estrogen for bone and cardiovascular health. What are the different types of estrogen? The three major naturally occurring estrogens in women are:

• Estrone - The lowest levels of this are found after menopause
• Estradiol - The predominant estrogen during reproductive years
• Estriol - The main estrogen produced during pregnancy

Where is estrogen produced in the body? In women, estrogen is mainly produced in the ovaries. The production begins during puberty and drops significantly at menopause. Small amounts are also produced in fat tissues and the adrenal glands. In men, testosterone is converted into estrogen via an enzyme called aromatase. Men have lower levels of estrogen than women. What are the functions of estrogen in women?

• It controls the development of female secondary sex characteristics during puberty, like breasts, pubic hair, etc.
• Together with other hormones like progesterone, it regulates the menstrual cycle
• It keeps the vagina lubricated, maintains thickness and health of vaginal walls
• It helps build and maintain bone mass

What happens when estrogen levels change? Abnormally high or low levels of estrogen can lead to:

• Irregular periods
• Problems getting pregnant
• Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes
• Osteoporosis
• Heart disease
• Breast cancer

Many factors can cause imbalanced estrogen levels - poor diet, chronic stress, hormonal disorders, or toxicity from things like BPA in plastics. Lifestyle changes or bioidentical hormone therapy from a reputable clinic like Revive Hormones may help stabilize levels.