Estrogens (medically: estrogens) are a group of sex hormones that play a crucial role in women’s reproductive ability and overall metabolism. Therefore, a variety of symptoms can occur with elevated or decreased estrogen levels.
What is estrogen?
Like the corpus luteum hormone progesterone, estrogens are among the most important female sex hormones. Estrogens belong to the class of steroid hormones, which means that their basic chemical structure is derived from the steroid structure of cholesterol. The most important representatives of the group of estrogens include estradiol, estriol and estrone. Estradiol is the most effective and important sex hormone in women. The formation of estradiol is stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in certain cells of the ovary, the theca cells. Estriol, another hormone belonging to the estrogen group, is formed in the placenta during pregnancy. Estrone is a less potent hormone that is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and subcutaneous fat tissue. In men, small amounts of estrogen are also produced in the testes and released into the blood. In addition, a certain amount of the testosterone present is converted into estrogen in the fatty tissue of men. In women, estrogen is also produced by the chemical conversion of testosterone and other male sex hormones.
Measure and study estrogen (healthy levels).
There are a number of indications that warrant determination of estrogen levels. Indications include such things as menstrual cramps, postmenopausal checks, or during hormone therapies administered as part of infertility treatments for unfulfilled childbearing. The estrogen level can also be determined if the time of ovulation is to be determined; this is possible because the estrogen level rises sharply shortly before ovulation. There is actually no specific normal range within which the estrogen concentration in the blood should lie, as the estrogen level fluctuates greatly during the female cycle. In pre-pubertal girls and in menopausal and post-menopausal women, estrogen levels are lower than in women of childbearing age. Estrogen levels are determined by a blood test. The normal value of estradiol in women of childbearing age is between 30 and 600ng/l. The estriol level can only be determined during pregnancy and ranges from 0.6 to 40 ng/ml, the exact value depends on the week of pregnancy. The estrone level in childbearing women ranges from 37 to 230 ng/l and depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle.
Function, effects, and roles
Estrogens are ostensibly responsible for reproductive function. They are increasingly produced in the first half of the menstrual cycle and also play a crucial role during pregnancy. During puberty, the increased release of estrogens ensures the formation of the typical sexual characteristics of women, such as breasts. Estrogens stimulate ovulation and the preparation of the uterus for a possible pregnancy. Furthermore, in the course of development, estrogens ensure epiphyseal closure, which is the end of length growth. In addition, physiological estrogen levels reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Estrogens have an astonishingly broad spectrum of effects, including stimulating the body’s immune defenses and even the brain, where they are important for remembering speech and other sounds. Estrogens also play an important role in the body’s metabolism, providing, for example, a reduction in cholesterol levels or a loosening of connective tissue.
Diseases
If estrogen levels are not within what is considered physiological, a wide variety of problems can occur. Many ailments during menopause come from a deficiency of estrogen. During menopause, estrogen levels drop sharply, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. The most common complaints associated with a lack of estrogen are weight gain, mood swings, vaginal infections, sleep disturbances, hot flashes and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen deficiency can also occur in younger women. This is caused by a malfunction of the ovaries, which can be triggered by physical exertion or eating disorders, for example.Typical symptoms are cycle problems such as intermenstrual bleeding or the absence of menstruation. Increased estrogen levels can be caused by cancer, because some tumors in the ovaries release additional estrogen. Elevated estrogen levels are desirable in women undergoing infertility therapy.
