What Is Estrogen And How Does It Work
Estrogen refers to a group of hormones which include estrone, estradiol and estriol. Remember that hormones are one of the most important components which lead to functioning of the body. Human body, both men and women, produce certain hormones which perform their respective tasks in the body. In addition to this, whether it is a male or a female, they produce almost similar reproductive hormones. Estrogen is produced in both men and women but it is most commonly known as a female hormone. You must have heard about this hormone in TV commercials but you do not know how it works. There are many different purposes of estrogen in the body especially forming reproductive health in females.
Instructions
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1
What is estrogen?
Estrogen is a hormone which is formed in both sexes. However, they are present in females in higher quantity. -
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Production
Estrogen is made within fat tissue, ovaries and adrenal glands. -
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Significance
The importance of estrogen in men is not known yet. In women on the other hand it is involved in creation of reproductive organs for pregnancy and conception purposes. It also differentiates men and women by growing sexual characteristics such as breasts.
Besides humans, estrogen is formed in animals. It helps in reproductive system in female animals. It is circulated within bloodstreams in women. As a result, it affect women’s bones, brain, heart and liver. -
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Pregnancy
Estrogen plays an important part in the ovulation process. The pituitary gland discharges hormones which lead in releasing of an egg from its follicle during the menstrual cycle. The estrogen is produced during follicle development. It causes the uterine lining to thicken. Remember that the thickening of uterine lining ensures that uterus becomes receptive to progesterone, another hormone. This new hormone nourishes fertilize egg which develops into fetus. When there is no fertilization, estrogen and progesterone levels fall. As a result, the uterus lining breaks down and it leads to menstruation. -
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Bone health
Restructuring and building of bones is constantly happening within our body. Estrogen also plays part in building bones. It mixes with other hormones, calcium, Vitamin D and other minerals in order to build bones in our body. A body builds more bones then it breaks down till the age of 30. However, when estrogen level falls especially at the time of menopause, the bones building process is reduced. This means women’s body breaks down more bones than it builds after menopause.
