2023-07-13 02:24:00
By Janek Hennicke | Jul 13, 2023 at 4:24 am
Estrogens or estrogens are among the best-known representatives of steroid hormones. They are among the most important influences in development, especially for women. But estrogen is diverse and influences different processes in the body, including in men. FITBOOK explains.
As mentioned at the beginning, estrogens are essential for the physical development of women. But even with male shareholders in society, these steroid hormones have more than just a small effect. They influence basic physical processes in both sexes. The influence extends beyond the condition and diseases, even further to external conditions that are influenced by the steroid hormone estrogen.
What are estrogens anyway?
Estrogens are steroid hormones, each of which occurs in slightly different forms. They are produced by every human being and take various influences. However, their occurrence varies throughout life. They play an important role in our development, but have a greater impact on women because they are involved in the formation of female sexual characteristics.
What types are there and how do they work?
The three types of estrogen are estrone, estradiol and estriol. In addition to these three, however, there is a fourth that does not belong to the predominant types, estetrol. They all have different purposes and are made at different times in life.1
Estrone, the aging hormone
Estrone, or E1, plays an important role in women, especially after menopause. From this point on, it is the only estrogen that continues to be produced normally and regularly in the body. What is special about E1 is that it can be converted into estradiol by the body. It is made in the adrenal glands, ovaries and adipose tissue. Males also have estrone, but in smaller amounts.
Estradiol, the main hormone
Estradiol, or E2, is the most important and strongest estrogen. It is active during probably the longest part of a woman’s life and influences the cycle, cardiovascular system, neurological system, skeletal system, vascular system and many other important processes. E2 is mostly produced in the ovaries in women, but can also be synthesized in tissues and in the brain. In men, a similar concept applies: E2 is mostly produced in the testicles, but tissues are also able to step in and make it.2
Estriol, the pregnancy hormone
Estriol, or E3, is considered the weakest estrogen, but it is still essential. It occurs in low levels and is developed in elevated levels during pregnancy. The main function of estriol is to prepare the pregnant body for delivery, labor and breastfeeding. E3 allows the uterus, which is responsible for production in cooperation with the fetus, to grow with it. Estriol is made in the placenta, an organ that only exists during pregnancy. The value is highest three weeks before delivery, since the growing child stimulates production.
Estetrol, the baby hormone
Estetrol, or E4, completes the list of estrogens. It is produced in the liver of the fetus and enters the maternal circulation via the placenta. Shortly after birth, estetrol production stops in the newborn’s liver.3
What does a shortage or surplus mean?
The estrogen value can be determined by means of a self-test at home. Reliability assured in most cases, except for saliva testing.
Ostron
A Lack estrone is only apparent after the menopause, since it only then takes on a decisive role. E1 deficiency can then, as well as a general lack of estrogen, increase the risk of osteoporosis. In addition, hot flashes, weakness and reduced libido occurring after menopause (12 months after the last period) are indicators of a low E1 level. The reasons for this can be malnutrition, a very low body fat percentage, stress or not enough sleep.
A excess of estrone can be a sign of breast cancer and promote its development in advance. In addition, high estrone levels increase the risk of uterine cancer. Above all, the adipose tissue plays an important role, since a higher proportion of body fat also means more estrone. Just as with a deficiency, stress or too little sleep can also develop into an excess, so these aspects should be monitored at least as closely.
Estradiol
Because estradiol acts in many areas of the body, it affects Lack also in different areas. These include, as mentioned, the development of osteoporosis, but also declining bone structure, the development of heart disease, decreased libido, irregular periods, painful intercourse or weight gain. Reasons for a low E2 value can be insufficient sleep, stress, genetic diseases or the pituitary gland, but also reduced performance of the uterus.
For one excess similar to estrone, estradiol is involved in sleep and stress. In addition, an overactive function of the uterus is possible, but the background has not yet been fully clarified. As a result, breast or uterine cancer can also develop as with E1.
Estriol
A Lack at E3 can mean a problem with the placenta. The reason for this could be a genetic defect in the fetus, such as Down syndrome.
An unexpected one excess on E3 before the 37th week of pregnancy can be a sign of preterm labor and can have serious consequences.
men and estrogens
In men, estrogens play a different but important role. Estrogens have an influence on the general hormonal balance as the most important antagonist to male testosterone. The value increases steadily over the course of life. Furthermore, estrogens affect men’s vascular reactivity, potency, libido, prostate, lipid metabolism, bone metabolism and the possibility of fathering children. Accordingly, they also play an important role in the development of masculine representatives of our society.4,5
lack of estrogens
There is almost never a sole lack of estrogen in men. Instead, this is often accompanied by a testosterone deficiency. If this occurs, it is a so-called aromatase deficiency. However, the symptoms are similar to an estrogen deficiency. Examples are osteoporosis or loss of libido. The influence on the prostate and carcinomas developing there is unclear.5
excess of estrogens
An excess of estrogens can be infertility, gynecomastia, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido or reduced growth. The reasons for an excess, as with other sexes, can be stress, weight gain or obesity. In addition, damage to the liver, tumors or hypogonadism can also occur.
Even if it doesn’t work that way at first, the actual “female sex hormone” has a significant impact on the development and condition of men.
More interesting articles on health
Is it worth supplementing estrogen?
There has been much debate about estrogen supplementation. As early as the 1940s, women decided to take estrogen in the form of supplements. The aim was to combat the effects of menopause. Up until the 1970s, it was believed that taking estrogen after postmenopause had no health effects. But at that time the first voices were raised that pointed to a possible connection with uterine cancer. However, until a 2002 study published by the “Women’s Health Initiative’ (WHI) little response. After that, the opinion changed rapidly, since many negative aspects were clarified in the study.
However, it is now known that the positive aspects of estrogen supplementation in postmenopausal women can outweigh the negative. If symptoms occur in women under 60 or within the first ten years after menopause, hormone replacement therapy can be useful in consultation with a doctor.6
Sources
1 Santen, JR, Allred CD, Ardoin, PS, et al. (2010). Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. JCEM.
2 Nelson, LR, Bulun, SE (2001). Estrogen production and action. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
3 Fruzzetti, F., Fidecicchi, T., Guevara, M. M. M., et al. (2021). Estetrol: A New Choice for Contraception. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
4 Hess, R. A. (2003). Estrogen in the adult male reproductive tract: A review. BMC.
5 Medical Journal (2004). Estrogens for men – useful or dangerous nonsense? (accessed on 07/11/2023)
6 Bad-Jarvis, F., Clegg, JD, Hevener, LA (2013). The Role of Estrogens in Control of Energy Balance and Glucose Homeostasis. Endocrine Reviews (Volume 34).
More sources
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