The estrogen hormone: what is it and what does it do?
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Leesduur: 4 min
Estrogen is one of the key hormones in a woman's hormonal cycle. Men also have estrogen, but this article will focus on this hormone in women: what is estrogen and what does it do?
Estrogen regulates the menstrual cycle, promotes feminine characteristics, and supports bone density, cognitive health, and vaginal health.
Estrogen dominance or deficiency causes menstrual problems, weight fluctuations, mood swings, fatigue, and loss of libido, often due to stress, diet, or medical conditions.
You can improve your estrogen balance with a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, moderate exercise, stress reduction, and a stable body weight.
What does the estrogen hormone do?
Estrogen has several functions. It is primarily involved in the female reproductive system. During puberty, for example, it contributes to the development of physical characteristics such as wider hips and breasts. The hormone also plays a significant role in the menstrual cycle, also known as the hormonal cycle.
Estrogen occurs in several forms: estradiol, estrone, and estriol. Estradiol is the most important hormone in the hormonal cycle. Estrone is only produced after menopause, and estriol plays an important role during pregnancy.
The hormone is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fatty tissue. Men also have the hormone estrogen, but in much smaller quantities.
The functions of estrogen in a nutshell:
- Role of the menstrual cycle - Estrogen ensures the maturation of eggs in the ovaries. It also prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy.
- Secondary sex characteristics - During puberty, estrogen causes breasts, wider hips, and hair to grow.
- Bone Density : Estrogen prevents bone loss and, in the long term, osteoporosis.
- Cognitive health - According to research, estrogen may positively influence the brain[ 1 ].
- Vaginal health - in the vagina, estrogen helps maintain a thick vaginal wall and keeps it moist.
Note : If you're taking the pill, you won't have your natural hormonal cycle. Many of the facts and tips in this article will unfortunately not apply to you.
Estrogen and the hormonal cycle
Estrogen cannot be viewed separately from the entire female hormonal cycle. Hormones are essentially the communication channel between the brain and the reproductive organs.
Hormone levels also vary during the menstrual cycle. Hormones present during the female hormonal cycle include FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone.
In short, the hormone cycle goes like this:
- Egg development - Under the influence of the hormone FSH, multiple follicles develop in both ovaries. These follicles, in turn, release estrogen. This makes the cervix more suitable for sperm.
- Complete development of a single egg - One follicle fully develops per cycle. At the time of complete development, significantly more estrogen is released.
- Ovulation - This estrogen surge is recognized by the pituitary gland, which then releases the hormone LH. The follicle ruptures, and ovulation occurs. The egg then emerges from the follicle in the ovary and travels to the fallopian tube.
- Journey to the uterus - The egg slowly travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Meanwhile, the empty follicle produces the hormone progesterone. Together with estrogen, progesterone prepares the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. They inhibit the hormones that cause more eggs to develop.
- Menstruation - When fertilization hasn't occurred, estrogen levels drop. You then menstruate, and the cycle begins again.
Causes of estrogen imbalance
There are several reasons why estrogen levels can fluctuate[ 2 ]. Some reasons are natural and normal, others are not. These are listed separately.
Natural reasons for estrogen imbalance:
- Puberty
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Recent delivery
- The transition
- Older age
Other reasons for estrogen imbalance:
- Overweight
- Underweight
- Too much exercise
- Stress
- High alcohol consumption
- Early menopause
- Certain medications
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Ovarian dysfunction
- Pituitary dysfunction
- PCOS
- Tumors on the genitals
Symptoms of too much estrogen
Excess estrogen is also called estrogen dominance. This can mean that estrogen levels are too high, or that the ratio of estrogen to other hormones is out of balance.
Symptoms of too much estrogen include:
- Painful or irregular menstruation
- Headache
- Tender breasts
- Less desire for sex
- Gaining weight
- Trouble sleeping
- Restless feeling
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
Symptoms of estrogen deficiency
Estrogen deficiency is normal during menopause, but younger women can also experience it. The symptoms of estrogen deficiency are therefore similar to those of menopause. This is
Symptoms of estrogen deficiency include:
- Irregular menstruation
- Hot flashes
- Dry skin and vagina
- Less desire for sex
- Pain during sex
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Osteoporosis
Some women use hormone therapy to reduce the effects and symptoms of menopause. This isn't suitable for everyone, for example, if there's a family history of breast cancer. Therefore, always discuss this with your doctor.
Solutions for Estrogen Balance
Both an estrogen deficiency and an excess are hormonal imbalances. This can occur for various reasons. If you suspect you're experiencing premature menopause, or if your estrogen is imbalanced due to a medical condition, it's a good idea to see a doctor.
If the imbalance isn't caused by menopause or a medical condition, there are several ways to support your estrogen levels and restore their balance. These tips are for both estrogen deficiency and excess.
Ways to Balance Estrogen:
- Nutrition and lifestyle - A healthy lifestyle and a good, varied diet are by definition good for hormone balance.
- Healthy weight - Both being underweight and overweight can cause hormonal imbalances. So, make sure your weight isn't too high or too low if you want to maintain estrogen balance.
- Exercise in moderation - You don't hear that said often, do you? Yet, it's true that women who exercise too much can suffer from hormonal imbalances. So, by all means, exercise, but don't overdo it.
- Low Stress - Reducing stress helps improve hormonal balance in the body.
- Get enough sleep - Good sleep also helps balance hormone levels in the body
Lauressa
Lauressa studied Nutrition & Dietetics and also works as an editor. She enjoys delving deeply into topics related to healthy eating, mental well-being, and hormone balance. When she's not pursuing her passion for health, she enjoys being creative.
