Estrogens

Oestrogens, which belong to the class of female sex hormones, include oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2) and oestriol (E3). These three estrogens differ in their biological activity. Estron (E1) has about 30% and estriol (E3) only about 10% of the biological activity of estradiol.

Thus, estradiol (E2) is the most important estrogenic hormone. In addition to the formation of estrogens in the ovaries, fatty tissue is also an essential site of estrogen production.Androstendione, which belongs to the group of male sex hormones, is converted into an estrogen by the enzyme aromatase. Oestrogens are able to penetrate the cell itself via the cell membrane and thus trigger their action via two types of oestrogen receptors, ER-alpha and ER-beta.

In addition, estrogens also have effects that are not mediated via the estrogen receptors; these are known as non-receptor-mediated effects. However, when an estrogen binds to an estrogen receptor inside the cell, the subsequent effect depends on the receptor type. In simple terms, the ER-alpha receptor type causes proliferation, i.e.

the growth and proliferation of cells, and the ER-beta receptor type causes the opposite, i.e. mediates antiproliferative effects. It depends on the organ which type of the two estrogen receptors predominates. In breast tissue and in the uterus, both ER-alpha and ER-beta receptors are found, whereas in the brain and the vascular system, almost exclusively the estrogen receptor type ER-beta is found.

Oestrogens are responsible for the development and maturation of the female reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics. They are responsible for the growth of the uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, vulva and mammary glands. In addition, estrogens stimulate certain bone cells (osteoblasts) and thus protect the female organism from bone loss.

If the oestrogen level drops, as is the case in women with increasing age, the risk of osteoporosis also increases because the protective effects of the oestrogens are absent. In addition, estrogens protect against premature hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) at a fertile age and ensure the typical high tone color of the female voice. With menopause, i.e. the last menstrual period, the production of the female sex hormone estrogen ceases due to increasing functional weakness of the ovaries.

The majority of the complaints complained of by women during the menopause can be explained by the rapidly decreasing estrogen level. At the center of the complaints can occur. If the estrogens in the blood are determined, the following values for estradiol are regarded as normal: For the estrogens with lower biological activity, such as estrone (E1) and estriol (E3), separate norm values apply.

Episodic hot flashes
Weld outbreaks
Headaches
Forgetfulness and
Psychological symptoms, such as depressionanxietystress nervousnessinsomnia and mood swings.
Depressions
Anxiety
Nervousness
Insomnia and
Mood swings.
Also heart rhythm disturbances
Joint and muscle pain
A loss of libido and a drop in performance
Depressions
Anxiety
Nervousness
Insomnia and
Mood swings.
Puberty 30 pg/ml
Follicular phase up to 350 pg/ml
Luteal phase 150 pg/ml or more
Postmenopause 15-20 pg/ml.