estrogen

Estrogens (medical: estrogens) are a group of sex hormones that play a crucial role in the reproductive ability and overall metabolism of women. With increased or decreased estrogen levels, a variety of complaints can occur.

What is Estrogen?

Just like the corpus luteum hormone progesterone count Estrogens to the most important female sex hormones. Estrogens belong to the class of steroid hormones, which means that their basic chemical structure is derived from the steroid structure of cholesterol.

The most important representatives of the group of estrogens include estradiol, estriol and estrone. Estradiol is the most effective and important sex hormone in women. The production of estradiol is stimulated by the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in certain cells of the ovary, the theca cells. Estriol, another hormone belonging to the group of estrogens, is formed in the placenta during pregnancy.

Oestrone is a less powerful hormone that is produced in the ovaries, the adrenal glands and the subcutaneous fatty tissue. In men, too, small amounts of estrogen are produced in the testes and released into the blood. In addition, a certain proportion of the testosterone present is converted into estrogen in the fatty tissue of men. In women, too, estrogens are produced through the chemical conversion of testosterone and other male sex hormones.

Measure & examine estrogen (healthy values)

There are a number of indications that determine the Estrogen levels justify. The indications include menstrual cramps, post-menopausal check-ups or during hormone therapies that are carried out as part of sterility therapies when the desire to have children is unfulfilled.

The estrogen level can also be determined if the time of ovulation is to be determined; this is possible because the estrogen level rises sharply shortly before ovulation. There is actually no very specific normal range in which the estrogen concentration in the blood should be, as the estrogen level fluctuates greatly during the female cycle.

In prepubescent girls and in women during and after the menopause, the estrogen level is lower than in women of childbearing age. The level of estrogen is determined using a blood test. The normal value of estradiol in women of childbearing age is between 30 and 600 ng / l.

The estriol value can only be determined during pregnancy and is between 0.6 and 40 ng / ml, the exact value depends on the week of pregnancy. The estrone level in women of childbearing potential is between 37 and 230 ng / l and depends on the respective cycle phase.

Function, effect & tasks

Estrogens are primarily responsible for fertility. They are increasingly formed in the first half of the menstrual cycle and also play a crucial role during pregnancy.

During puberty, the increased secretion of estrogens ensures the development of typical sexual characteristics in women, such as the breasts. Estrogens stimulate ovulation and prepare the uterus for a possible pregnancy. Furthermore, in the course of development, estrogens ensure the closure of the epiphyses, which is the end of the growth in length.

In addition, a physiological level of estrogen reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis. Estrogens have an astonishingly broad spectrum of activity, for example they have a stimulating effect on the body's own immune system and even on the brain, where they are important for recognizing speech and other noises. Estrogens also play an important role in the body's metabolism, for example they lower the cholesterol level or loosen up the connective tissue.

Diseases

Is the Estrogen levels Not within the framework of the values ​​to be regarded as physiological, a wide variety of problems can arise. Many symptoms during menopause are caused by a lack of estrogen.

During menopause, estrogen levels drop sharply, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. The most common symptoms associated with an estrogen deficiency are weight gain, mood swings, vaginal infections, insomnia, hot flashes, and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen deficiency can also occur in younger women. The cause of this is a malfunction of the ovaries, which can be triggered by physical overexertion or eating disorders.

Typical symptoms are cycle problems such as intermenstrual bleeding or the absence of a menstrual period. An increased level of estrogen can be caused by cancer because some tumors in the ovaries also release estrogen. An increased level of estrogen is desirable in women who are undergoing sterility therapy.