Estrogens are hormones which are essential for female sexual and reproductive development. They’re also referred as female sex hormones. The hormones estrone, estradiol (dominant in women of reproductive age), and estriol are all chemically identical and are referred to as “oestrogen.”
Estrogen
Estrogen, often abbreviated as oestrogen, is a sex hormone involved in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system as well as secondary sex characteristics. Estrone, estradiol, and estriol are three primary endogenous estrogens with estrogenic hormonal activity. The most powerful and common estrane is estradiol. Estetrol, a different oestrogen, is exclusively generated during pregnancy.
Estrogens are produced by all vertebrates, as well as some insects. The fact that estrogenic sex hormones are found in both vertebrates and insects shows that they have a long evolutionary history. In both men and women, estrogens circulate at lower levels than androgens in terms of quantity. Despite the fact that men have lower oestrogen levels than females, estrogens play an important physiological role in males.
Estrogens, as all steroid hormones, quickly permeate through cell membranes. They attach to and stimulate oestrogen receptors (ERs) once inside the cell, that modulates the expression of several genes. Estrogens also bind to and activate membrane oestrogen receptors (mERs), including GPER, which are involved in fast signalling (GPR30).
Estrogens are employed as pharmaceuticals as well as natural hormones, including in menopausal hormone therapy, hormonal birth control, and feminising hormone therapy for transgender women and nonbinary people.
Types of Estrogen
Estrogen plays a role in various of biological processes. Estrogen can be found in a variety of forms, including:
Estrone
This kind of oestrogen is produced by the body after menopause. It’s a milder form of oestrogen which the body can convert into additional estrogens as needed.
Estradiol
Estradiol is the most common oestrogen in females during their reproductive years. Both females and males are capable of producing it. High amounts of estradiol, osteoporosis, acne, sadness, and a loss of sexual urge are some of the body’s possible negative effects. Moreover, a rise in estradiol levels raises the risk of breast and uterine cancer. Low levels of estradiol, on the other hand, might cause cardiovascular and weight problems.
Estriol
Estriol levels rise whenever the uterus expands and the body prepares for birth during pregnancy. Right before delivery, estriol levels are at their greatest.
Functions of Estrogen
Estrogen is required for the following systems to function:
- For instance, oestrogen promotes the growth of the egg follicle in the ovaries.
- The thickness of the vaginal mucosa is maintained by oestrogen.
- The most reliable source of lubrication for the vaginal wall.
- Estrogen increases and protects the mucous membrane which lines the uterus. The thickness and flow of uterine mucus discharges are also controlled by it.
- Estrogen is a hormone that the body uses to make breast tissue. It also helps with the termination of milk production after weaning.
Ovaries
Estrogen encourages the production of the egg follicle in the ovaries.
Vagina
Estrogen increases the thickness of the vaginal mucosa.
The vaginal wall’s most reliable source of lubrication.
Uterus
The mucous membrane which lines the uterus is enhanced and maintained by oestrogen. The thickness and flow of uterine mucus discharges are also controlled by it.
Breasts
Estrogen is used by the body to produce breast tissue. This hormone also aids in the cessation of milk production after weaning.
Levels of estrogen
Estrogen levels differ from person to person. They also change over a woman’s lifetime and during her menstrual cycle. This variation can cause symptoms like mood swings before menstruation or hot flashes after menopause.
Estrogen levels can be affected by a variety of factors, including:
- pregnancy, the end of pregnancy, and breastfeeding
- puberty
- menopause
- older age
- strenuous exercise or training
- the use of certain medications, including steroids, ampicillin, estrogen-containing drugs, phenothiazines, and tetracyclines
- some congenital conditions, such as Turner’s syndrome
- primary ovarian insufficiency
- an underactive pituitary gland
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- tumours of the ovaries or adrenal glands
- Estrogen imbalance
- Estrogen imbalance causes:
- irregular or no menstruation
- mood changes and sleeping problems
- weight gain, mainly in the hips, thighs, and waist
- low sexual desire
- vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy
- fatigue
- mood swings
- feelings of depression and anxiety
- dry skin
Estrogen sources and uses
A doctor may recommend oestrogen supplements or medication if a person’s oestrogen levels are low. The following are examples of estrogen-based products:
- synthetic estrogen
- bioidentical estrogen
- Premarin, which contains estrogens from the urine of pregnant mares
Estrogen therapy
As part of hormone therapy, also described as hormone replacement therapy, oestrogen therapy can help control menopause symptoms.
Conclusion
Estrogens are hormones that are essential for female sexual and reproductive development. Estrogen refers to a group of chemically related hormones that includes estrone, estradiol (the most common hormone in women of reproductive age), and estriol. Estrogens are produced by all vertebrates, as well as some insects. The fact that estrogenic sex hormones are found in both vertebrates and insects shows that they have a long evolutionary history.