What is Estrogen?
Estrogen is a female sex hormone. Women produce greatest amounts in the ovaries, adrenal glands and fat tissue. It is the dominant hormone during the first part of the cycle causing the uterine lining to thicken and at mid cycle causes ovulation. Estrogen contributes to bone and cardiac health, vaginal lubrication and many other physical and emotional aspects of health. At one time low estrogen was blamed for all of the discomfort associated with menopause, but current medical research has lead to the discovery that it is a lack of progesterone that is not only responsible for many symptoms of menopause but PMS as well. Three forms of Estrogen are produced in the human body; Estrone (E1) – This form of estrogen is found in the woman’s body mostly after menopause. Estradiol (E2) – This is the strongest form and is thought to produce the greatest side effects. Estriol (E3) – This is the weakest form and produces the lease amount of side effects.
Estrogen is a hormone produced in the body. Estrogen is to a woman what testosterone is to a man. However, women and men have some of each, but women have more. It’s the basic female sex hormone and responsible for development of female characteristics. Estrogen is balanced in healthy individuals by progesterone.
