Estrogen - Vitality Health Center

What is Estrogen?

Estrogen is one of the key hormones that regulate the female reproductive system. It plays an essential role in the development and maintenance of the female sex characteristics.

What is Estrogen?

• Estrogen is a group of hormones that act as the primary female sex hormones. The three major naturally occurring estrogens in women are:
  • Estrone
  • Estradiol - the predominant estrogen
  • Estriol
• Estrogen is produced primarily by the ovaries, although some estrogen is also produced by the adrenal glands and fat cells.
• Estrogen levels vary over a woman's lifetime. They cause the development of the female secondary sex characteristics during puberty, regulate the menstrual cycle, and decline during menopause.

What Does Estrogen Do?

Some of the major functions of estrogen include:

• Stimulate breast growth and development of female body contours
• Regulate the menstrual cycle
• Thicken the endometrium of the uterus in preparation for a fertilized egg
• Maintain pregnancy
• Promote uterine growth and blood flow during pregnancy
• Strengthen bone formation
• Regulate cholesterol production
• Aid neurological health through vasodilative and antioxidant effects in the brain

In summary, estrogen is an essential group of hormones that stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics and promote reproductive health. Key types of estrogen are estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Estrogen levels change during a woman's life during puberty, menstrual cycling, pregnancy, and menopause. Understanding the functions of estrogen provides insight into women's health.