Estrogen in Women: What Is It?

What Is Estrogen?

Definition 

Have you ever wondered how the body decides when and how to regulate its different important functions in an orderly manner? Much of the credit for this marvelous achievement goes to the different hormones that the body produces. These hormones act at specific sites and enhance or reduce the production of different proteins which results in changes in the body’s functions according to its need. 

Estrogen is one of these most important hormones. Its primary role highlights its significance in the development of female sexual structures and characteristics. Estrogen in the human body exists in different forms, and the different types of estrogens determine what function it will play in the human body. An assessment of these different types of estrogen can help in diagnosing and monitoring different reproductive problems.

Types

Estrogen hormone is present in the body in four different types. The levels of these different types vary with the reproductive age of the female, and each plays a different but important role in female health issues. These are: 

a. Estrone (E1): This is a type of estrogen hormone that is produced during menopause and is considered a weaker form of estrogen. This hormone is primarily produced in adipose tissue and gonads.

b. Estradiol (E2): This type of estrogen hormone is the most important variety in women of reproductive age. Considered the most potent estrogen, estradiol levels play a vital role in regulating the menstrual cycles. Estradiol is also used in its synthetic form to reduce the symptoms of menopausal symptoms in females. 

c. Estriol (E3): Estriol is also known as pregnancy estrogen. This hormone is present during pregnancy and helps in the growth of the uterus and fetus, as well as preparing the body for labor and delivery.

d.  Estetrol (E4): This variant of estrogen is produced by the fetal liver, and it travels from there to maternal blood. Its function remains unknown and is being studied for its role as a contraceptive. 

Function 

Estrogen hormone’s main role is the development of female sexual characteristics and regulation of the female reproductive health. Cholesterol from the diet is converted to estrogen after undergoing the process of steroidogenesis, a major part of which happens in the ovaries. The estrogen binds to specific receptor sites in the nucleus, producing specific proteins and complexes. These components then in turn promote and keep in check the development of female sexual characters.

It performs the following functions in the body:

• Growth and proliferation of uterine lining or endometrium
• Lactation and breast enlargement
• Brain development
• Cardioprotective effect and reduced risk of atherosclerotic diseases
• Bone homeostasis and a decreased risk of osteoporosis
• The estrogen in men functions to promote the growth and maturation of sperm. Without it, men experience decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.

How Estrogen Levels Fluctuate Throughout a Woman’s Life

Estrogen levels in women do not remain constant rather the levels keep on changing throughout the life cycle. There are fluctuating levels during the menstrual cycle as well. It is therefore important to correlate the estrogen levels with the different stages of life. 

Puberty 

At the onset of puberty, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are secreted which help in the maturation of ovarian follicles. The maturing ovarian follicle, as described earlier, is a rich source of estradiol and this increases the blood level of estrogen. This variant of estrogen thus produces the female secondary sex characteristics. The other two variants, estrone and estriol also increase but not as significantly as the estradiol. The menstrual cycle can affect the levels of estradiol during this phase and is also one of the reasons for fluctuating mood swings in pubertal girls. 

Reproductive Years

During reproductive years, the concentration of estradiol shows a cyclic variation. The estradiol levels begin to rise during the first 14 days of the menstrual cycle and peak at around day 14 when ovulation is approaching. This is to prepare the body for implantation of a fertilized egg. After ovulation, estradiol sees a small fall but again starts to rise under the influence of developing corpus luteum. If the pregnancy does not occur, estradiol levels begin to fall, and with it the menstruation begins. Estrone and estriol during this phase remain relatively stable.
If a pregnancy occurs during this point, estriol begins to rise, to support the pregnancy. Estrone remains variable and estradiol is high during pregnancy.

Menopause and Estrogen Decline

At the onset of menopause, the ovaries cannot release ovum regularly as during a normal ovulation cycle. The estradiol levels fall significantly. This initially leads to perimenopausal symptoms including irregular cycles, hot flushes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Once no periods occur for consecutive 12 months, this marks menopause. Estrone becomes the predominant estrogen at this point. Estriol levels also become negligible.

The Role of Estrogen in Reproductive Health

Menstrual Cycle Regulation

Estrogen’s role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle is pivotal. During the follicular phase of the hormones women’s cycle or menstruation cycle, the estrogen causes proliferation, and the thickness of the uterine lining is increased. As implantation of a fertilized egg is the next step, so without estrogen-dependent preparation of the endometrium, the fertilized egg cannot develop in the uterus. Progesterone also helps estrogen in this important phase. If there is no fertilization, the estrogen levels begin to fall. This fall in estrogen level causes the endometrial lining to sluff off leading to the beginning of menstruation. Without proper estrogen secretion, this cycle remains unregulated and is a cause of irregular menstrual cycle in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Ovulation and Fertility

In the body, estrogen hormones slowly rise during the initial days of the menstrual cycle and when it reaches its peak, estrogen along with luteinizing hormone, ovulation takes place. Estrogen also causes thinning of cervical mucus, facilitating the entry of sperm for fertilization. Infertility in PCOS is due to the imbalance in the normal estrogen levels in women.

Pregnancy and Estrogen

During pregnancy, estriol levels start to rise. This mostly comes from the developing placenta. Estriol has several effects on the body, all aimed at promoting pregnancy and preparing the body for labor. Estriol facilitates the placenta by promoting its blood supply and at the same time, it causes the fetal organ development to progress at the required pace. Near-term, uterine contractions are also dependent on the normal estriol levels. It is noteworthy to mention that estriol also promotes mammary gland development for breastfeeding. 

High and Low Estrogen Levels: Causes, Symptoms, and Risks

High levels of estrogen are defined by an estrogen level more than the one specified for the age of the patient. Causes of high estrogen levels include the following:

• PCOS
• Obesity
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Estrogen secreting tumors

The high estrogen symptoms are:

• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Irregular periods
• Mood swings
• Depression

These patients are at increased risk of menorrhagia, endometrial hyperplasia, and breast cancer.

Low estrogen can be due to the following causes:

• Menopause
• Excessive exercise
• Certain eating disorders
• Ovarian failure

Low estrogen symptoms include symptoms felt in menopause and are:

• Hot flashes
• Irritability
• Aging skin
• Mood swings
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased libido
• Reduced concentration

Increased risk of atherosclerotic events and osteoporosis are also signs of low estrogen in women.

How Is Estrogen Tested? 

Estrogen levels are traditionally measured using a blood sample in a laboratory. Most machines measure the levels of estradiol, which is the most active component of estrogen in the body. The levels can guide any irregularities and help in the timely management of the different conditions. Estrogen levels can also be measured using urine and saliva. 

Estradiol Blood Test

Estradiol blood testing is a gold standard test to measure blood estrogen levels. During this test, blood is taken by a healthcare professional from a vein usually in the arm. The needle draws very little blood, and the patient can travel back in less than 5 minutes.

Estradiol Metabolite Urine Test

Going to a laboratory for these tests can be cumbersome. Home-based testing is also available where the estrogen levels can be measured by urine testing at home.

The Mira Hormone Monitor offers a perfect solution for home-based hormone monitoring. The Mira Hormone Monitor comes with different wands according to the needs of the patient; each wand can measure different combinations of hormones. Just dip the wand in urine for 20 seconds and insert the wand into the Mira Hormone Monitor. You can get the estrogen values in your Mira App within 21 minutes. This makes it easy to keep an eye on your estrogen levels while avoiding the hassle of visiting the laboratory. 

The Mira Hormone Monitor provides lab-grade technology while being at home and the results are 99% reliable.

Factors Affecting Test Results

Test results can be affected by different factors. These factors need to be kept in mind while interpreting the results. These are:

• Age
• Menstrual cycle
• Pregnancy
• Related medical history
• Medication
• Exercise and lifestyle
• Method of measuring

All these things should be kept in mind while interpreting the results. Consulting your physician is therefore important to understand your results.

Preparation for Estrogen Testing 

No specific preparations are needed for estrogen testing.

Role In Fertility

As discussed previously, estrogen’s role in maintaining fertility cannot be undermined.

Impact of Imbalanced Estrogen

An imbalanced estrogen level can lead to different clinical conditions and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and numerous other conditions. Therefore, the right balance is of prime importance.

The imbalance not only affects physical and sexual health but also has detrimental results on psychological health. For people who monitor their estrogen levels regularly using products like Mira Hormone Monitor, and notice any irregularity or imbalance in their estrogen levels, we offer a solution. At Mira Hormone Health Clinic for Fertility, expert practitioners review and analyze your hormone data and provide tips and advice to achieve a balance of your estrogen (and other key hormones) levels. This also includes guidance on having good nutrition, exercise routine, stress management, and good sleep, which ultimately help in conceiving.

Estrogen Dominance in People with PCOS

PCOS is a complication that can be associated with estrogen dominance and a primary cause of infertility among women. Treatment of PCOS aims to reduce the effects of this estrogen dominance in the body. Hormonal balance in PCOS women can be reduced by Myo & D-Chiro Inositol. 

PCOS is a complication that can be associated with estrogen dominance and a primary cause of infertility among women. Treatment of PCOS aims to reduce the effects of this estrogen dominance in the body. Hormonal balance in PCOS women can be reduced by Myo & D-Chiro Inositol. 

Mira PCOS Supplements is a combination of Myo & D-Chiro Inositol along with Folate and Vitamin D. This supplement increases regulation of ovulation occurrence and hence aims to reduce the excessive effects of estrogen on the body. As a result, the balance of estrogen is restored and the symptoms of excessive estrogen are counterbalanced. It also improves metabolism and egg and embryo quality further enhancing the fertility in patients suffering from this complex disease.

How to Balance Estrogen Levels Naturally

There are numerous ways to balance the estrogen levels naturally in the body. These are discussed below:

Diet and Lifestyle

Phytoestrogens are food components present in plants that imitate the action of estrogen in the body. Consuming these estrogen foods enhances the activity of estrogen in the body. The foods high in estrogen, that contain phytoestrogens are:

A balanced diet containing all essential nutrients along with the consumption of foods rich in these phytoestrogens not only improves fertility but also helps to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise and Weight Management

Exercise and weight reduction can significantly impact the estrogen levels in the body. According to research, obese patients are more prone to PCOS and due to excessive adipose tissue estrogen production can be higher. International guidelines recommend 150 mins of exercise per week for patients having PCOS. Exercise not only increases insulin sensitivity but also improves estrogen metabolism. People who exercise regularly are protected from estrogen imbalance. This is the reason why patients with PCOS are advised to exercise and weight reduction.

Herbal Remedies

Many herbal remedies have been tried and tested over the years for improved estrogen levels in the body. Chasteberry (Vitex Agnus-Castus) has been used for centuries for the management of irregular periods due to estrogen imbalance. Similarly, Black Cohosh is also used.

Mira Fertility Tea offers a great herbal remedy for estrogen imbalance. The ingredients of this product are all herbal and have been carefully selected and nurtured to manage complications associated with hormonal imbalance.

Alternative Therapies

Many alternative therapies can also be used to bring about the right balance in patients with estrogen imbalance. Acupuncture is one of them. Another important therapy is Mira Prenatal Supplements. This is a capsule containing 20 essential vitamins necessary for fertility and reproductive health. The formula is 100% natural and organic, designed by OB/Gynae to promote hormonal balance.

Frequently Asked Questions