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Estrogen is a hormone that affects both the male and female reproductive systems. In females, it helps with reproductive and breast health, among other functions.
- Estrogen helps with cognitive health, bone health, cardiovascular system function, and other important biological functions.
- Most individuals are aware of its involvement in female sexual and reproductive health in conjunction with progesterone.
- The ovaries, adrenal glands, and adipose regions all generate estrogen.
- Both female and male bodies contain this hormone, although females produce more of it.
Table of Content |
Key Terms: Estrogen hormone, Reproductive systems, Hormones, Adrenal glands, Vitamin D, Mucous membrane, Reproductive organs, Puberty, Menstrual cycles
What is Estrogen Hormone?
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Estrogen is a female sex hormone produced in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and fatty tissue that is primarily responsible for the development of breasts in puberty and the formation of the uterine lining throughout the menstrual cycle.
- In women, the estrogen hormone prepares the uterus and other reproductive organs for pregnancy.
- It also controls the menstrual cycle and increases the growth of pubic and underarm hair.
- It also maintains bone strength by interacting with calcium, vitamin D, and other critical vitamins and minerals.
- A small quantity of estrogen, like other sex hormones, is present in a man's body and helps to protect bones.
- These hormones function additionally by controlling the transcription of certain genes in the uterus.
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Function of Estrogen Hormone
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Estrogen hormones enable the following organs to function:
Ovaries
Estrogen increases the growth of the egg follicle.
Vagina
Estrogen maintains the thickness of the vaginal wall and increases lubrication.
Uterus
Estrogen develops and maintains the mucous membrane that lines the uterus. It also affects the amount and thickness of uterine mucus flows.
Breasts
The body uses estrogen to produce breast tissue. This hormone also helps stop the flow of milk after weaning.
Synthesis of Estrogen Hormone
Estrogen is widely produced and released by a pair of ovaries in the female gonad, whereas just a small amount of estrogen is released by the adrenal glands and fat cells, which are responsible for sexual and reproductive development throughout puberty.
- Estrogen hormones released by the ovaries help in the development of reproductive organs by regulating the uterine cycle and producing female secondary sexual characteristics.
- Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, when both uterine cycles and ovaries stop to function and estrogen hormones are no longer produced.
- Estrogen and other female sex hormones impact every phase of the menstrual cycle.
Our body produces three main types of estrogen:
- Estradiol (E2): It is the most common type among women of reproductive age.
- Estriol (E3): It is the main type of estrogen produced during pregnancy.
- Estrone (E1): It is produced during menopause when menstrual cycles end.
Hormonal Levels
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Estrogen may be a steroid that plays a crucial role in regulating mammalian reproduction. They act by regulating the transcription of certain genes within the uterus.
- Estrogen levels change during menopause due to which women experience many uncomfortable symptoms.
- Estrogen hormonal levels vary depending on the age of people.
- In some rare cases, they fluctuate during the cycle, and a couple of symptoms of mood swings are caused before menstruation or hot flashes in menopause.
Pregnancy, cycle, and menopause are the most factors, which affect the estrogen levels within the body. Other factors include:
- Obesity.
- Puberty.
- Diabetes.
- Older age.
- Anorexia nervosa.
- Turner’s syndrome.
- High vital signs.
- Parturition and breastfeeding.
- Primary ovarian insufficiency.
- Strenuous exercise or training.
- An underactive pituitary.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Tumors within the ovaries or adrenal glands.
- Use of medicines, including steroids, ampicillin, estrogen-containing drugs, phenothiazines, and tetracyclines.
Estrogen Level
Low-level Estrogen Hormone
One of the most common reasons for low estrogen in women is menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries. Symptoms of low estrogen include:
- Dry skin.
- Insomnia
- Mood swings.
- Loss of libido.
- Hot flashes or night sweats.
- Dryness and thinning of the vagina.
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods.
- Menstrual migraine, right before their menstrual period, due to the drop in estrogen.
The under-secretion of estrogen hormone even affects males. The symptoms include: Men with low estrogen hormones can suffer from excess belly fat and low concupiscence.
Low Estrogen Levels
High-level Estrogen Hormone
Women with higher estrogen hormone levels can cause the following symptoms:
- Fatigue.
- Loss of drive.
- Fibrocystic breasts.
- Fibroids within the uterus.
- Feeling depressed or anxious.
- Worsening of PMS.
- Weight gain, mainly in your waist, hips, and thighs.
- Menstrual problems, like light or heavy bleeding.
High Estrogen Levels
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Things to Remember
- Estrogen is a hormone that affects both the male and female reproductive systems.
- Estrogen helps with cognitive health, bone health, cardiovascular system function, and other important biological functions.
- During pregnancy, the placenta produces estrogen, specifically the hormone estriol.
- In women, the estrogen hormone prepares the uterus and other reproductive organs for pregnancy.
- Estrogen levels change during menopause due to which women experience many uncomfortable symptoms.
- Estrogen hormonal levels vary depending on the age of people.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is meant by estrogen hormone? (2 Marks)
Ans. Estrogen is the female sex hormone that is produced in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and fatty tissue and is basically responsible for the development of breasts in puberty and the growth of the uterus lining during the menstrual cycle.
Ques. What happens if estrogen is high? (1 Mark)
Ans. Too much estrogen may cause irregular periods and worsen reproductive health issues.
Ques. What are the symptoms of low-level estrogen hormone? (3 Marks)
Ans. One of the most common reasons for low estrogen in women is menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries. Symptoms of low estrogen include:
- Dry skin.
- Insomnia
- Mood swings.
- Loss of libido.
- Hot flashes or night sweats.
- Dryness and thinning of the vagina.
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods.
- Menstrual migraine, right before their menstrual period, due to the drop in estrogen.
Ques. Write the symptoms of high-level estrogen hormone. (3 Marks)
Ans. Women with higher estrogen hormone levels can cause the following symptoms:
- Fatigue.
- Loss of drive.
- Fibrocystic breasts.
- Fibroids within the uterus.
- Feeling depressed or anxious.
- Worsening of PMS.
- Weight gain, mainly in your waist, hips, and thighs.
- Menstrual problems, like light or heavy bleeding.
Ques. When do estrogen levels change? (4 Marks)
Ans. There are phases throughout an individual's life when estrogen levels may change. for instance, estrogen levels naturally increase during puberty and through pregnancy. Estrogen levels fall after menopause, or when a lady stops menstruating. This reduction in estrogen production can cause symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and loss of drive. Estrogen levels also decrease after childbirth. Other conditions that will cause estrogen levels to drop include hypogonadism (or diminished function of the ovaries) and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Extreme exercise and anorexia also can cause a decrease in estrogen levels because women with low body fat might not be ready to produce adequate amounts of estrogen.
Ques. What are Hormonal Levels? (3 Marks)
Ans. Estrogen may be a steroid that plays a crucial role in regulating mammalian reproduction. They act by regulating the transcription of certain genes within the uterus.
- Estrogen levels change during menopause due to which women experience many uncomfortable symptoms.
- Estrogen hormonal levels vary depending on the age of people.
- In some rare cases, they fluctuate during the cycle, and a couple of symptoms of mood swings are caused before menstruation or hot flashes in menopause.
Ques. Define Synthesis of Estrogen Hormone. (4 Marks)
Ans. Estrogen is widely secreted and released by a pair of ovaries within the female gonad and only a small amount of estrogen is released by the adrenal glands and fat cells, which is liable for sexual and reproductive development during puberty. Estrogen hormones produced by the ovaries promote the event of reproductive organs by maintaining the right uterine cycle and by developing female secondary sex characteristics. Menopause usually occurs between age 45 and 55, when both uterine cycles and therefore the ovaries stop functioning and there's no production of estrogen hormones.
Ques. Define some Estrogen functions. (5 Marks)
Ans. Estrogen is additionally produced by fat cells and therefore the adrenal. At the onset of puberty, estrogen plays a task in the development of so-called female secondary sex characteristics, like breasts, wider hips, and bush and armpit hair.
- Estrogen also helps regulate the cycle, controlling the expansion of the uterine lining during the primary part of the cycle. If the woman's egg isn't fertilized, estrogen levels decrease sharply and menstruation begins. If the egg is fertilized, estrogen works with progesterone, another hormone, to prevent ovulation during pregnancy.
- During pregnancy, the placenta produces estrogen, specifically the hormone estriol. Estrogen controls lactation and other changes within the breasts, including during adolescence and through pregnancy.
- Estrogen is instrumental in bone formation, working with vitamin D, calcium, and other hormones to effectively break down and rebuild bones consistent with the body's natural processes. As estrogen levels start to say no in time of life, the method of rebuilding bones slows, with postmenopausal women eventually breaking down more bone than they produce. This is often why postmenopausal women are fourfold more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men, consistent with the Cleveland Clinic.
Ques. Write a short note on the function of the estrogen hormones. (5 Marks)
Ans. In women, estrogen is produced mainly within the ovaries. Ovaries are grape-sized glands located by the uterus and are a part of the system.
- Estrogen is additionally produced by fat cells and therefore the adrenal. At the onset of puberty, estrogen plays a task in the development of so-called female secondary sex characteristics, like breasts, wider hips, and bush and armpit hair.
- Estrogen also helps regulate the cycle, controlling the expansion of the uterine lining during the primary part of the cycle. If the woman's egg isn't fertilized, estrogen levels decrease sharply and menstruation begins. When the egg is fertilized, estrogen functions with progesterone, another hormone, in order to prevent ovulation at the time of pregnancy.
- During pregnancy, the placenta produces estrogen, specifically the hormone estriol. Estrogen controls lactation and other changes within the breasts, including during adolescence and through pregnancy.
Ques. Write some of the side effects of the estrogen hormone. (5 Marks)
Ans. Some of the side effects of the estrogen hormones:
- The majority of breast cancers also are sensitive to estrogen, meaning that estrogen promotes tumor growth. These cancers are hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. For people with these cancers, treatments to lower estrogen levels or block estrogen production are often wont to help prevent cancer recurrence after surgery or to slow cancer growth.
- According to carcinoma.org, alcohol can increase a woman's risk of hormone-receptor-positive carcinoma. Alcohol also enhances the consequences of estrogen in driving the expansion of carcinoma cells, consistent with 2016 research at the University of Houston.
- Endometriosis is another estrogen-dependent disease. For the treatment of endometriosis, reducing estrogen levels and providing non-estrogen treatments have all been considered. The matter is that reducing the amount of estrogen in women can cause infertility.
- A study by the Women's Health Initiative showed that hormone replacement therapy — both sole estrogen and estrogen-and-progestin — had significant risks. It increased the danger of carcinoma, stroke, and blood clots and didn't, as predicted, lower the danger of heart conditions. Given the danger, hormone replacement therapy should be prescribed on a case-by-case basis. it's currently approved for postmenopausal symptoms, though women who do start hormone replacement therapy are encouraged to undertake the littlest dose for the shortest amount of their time, consistent with the Food and Drug Administration. Only women with a severe risk of osteoporosis who cannot take non-estrogen therapies should be considered for using hormone replacement therapy preventatively.
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