Estrogen is one of the key sex hormones that is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. It plays a vital role not just in reproduction but also in various other processes in the body.
The main types of estrogen in women are:
Estrogen is produced mainly in the ovaries. It causes changes in the body leading up to puberty in girls such as the development of the uterus, vagina, breasts, and body fat distribution. The menstrual cycle is regulated by fluctuating estrogen levels through the follicular and luteal phases.
During the follicular phase, estradiol levels start to rise causing the uterine lining to thicken and mature egg follicles to develop. Right before ovulation, estrogen levels peak leading to the release of a mature egg. Following ovulation in the luteal phase, estrogen levels decrease while progesterone takes over to maintain a pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, shedding the uterus lining and initiating a new cycle.
In addition to reproductive development and regulation, estrogen serves other vital functions:
During perimenopause and menopause, ovarian estrogen production declines. This can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and bone loss. Hormone therapy with low-dose estrogen or estrogen-progestogen combination drugs may help relieve some of these symptoms.
The experts at HormoVital specialize in hormonal assessments and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to get your estrogen levels optimized for overall wellness. Call today at 555-0123 for a consultation!
I hope this overview gives you a good understanding of the different types of estrogen, its sources, roles in female sexual development and regulation, additional vital functions, and how estrogen levels change through a woman's life. Let me know if you have any other questions!