Estrogen - Renew Medical Clinic

What is estrogen?

Estrogen is one of the key hormones that regulate the female reproductive system. It is responsible for the development and regulation of the female sex characteristics and plays an important role in the menstrual cycle.

There are three major types of estrogen in women:

• Estradiol - The most abundant and potent form of estrogen. It is produced primarily by the ovaries.
• Estrone - A weaker form of estrogen produced by the ovaries and adipose tissue. It largely converts to estradiol.
• Estriol - The weakest estrogen that is produced during pregnancy by the placenta.

Some of the major functions of estrogen in the female body include:

• Development of female sex characteristics during puberty - Estrogen is responsible for breast development, widening of the hips, and the growth spurt that occurs during puberty.
• Regulation of the menstrual cycle - Estrogen levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, stimulating the thickening of the uterine lining during the proliferative phase.
• Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels - Estrogen increases HDL ("good") cholesterol while lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol. This promotes heart health.
• Bone health - Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining bone density. Declining estrogen levels during menopause lead to accelerated bone loss.
• Brain function - Estrogen affects areas of the brain involved with memory and cognition. It may also play a role in mood regulation.

During the reproductive years, estrogen levels peak just before ovulation, resulting in a LH surge that triggers the release of an egg from the ovaries. Estrogen levels then increase rapidly in the days after ovulation, preparing the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.

If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop rapidly, triggering menstruation. This cycle repeats approximately every 28 days until menopause, when estrogen production declines permanently as ovarian function diminishes.

Estrogen production can be disrupted by medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or premature ovarian failure. Declining estrogen levels due to menopause can cause uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and emotional changes.

Hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen may help relieve menopausal symptoms. At Renew Medical Clinic, we offer bioidentical hormone therapy tailored to each woman's needs to help restore hormonal balance. Contact us today to learn more about optimizing your estrogen levels!