Estrogen Definition
Estrogen is a group of female sex hormones responsible for regulating a woman's reproductive system, sexual functioning and ability to carry a child. It also controls numerous other functions in the body, including a woman's vision, ability to smell, bone strength, cardiovascular system and mood. Low estrogen levels can cause further complications, including reduced fertility and bone loss.
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Source
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Estrogen is produced by the ovaries, located in the woman's reproductive system. According to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the adrenal glands also produce estrogen.
Types
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The main types of estrogen include estrone, estradiol and estriol.
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Function
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Estrogen is responsible for triggering puberty, regulating menstrual cycles and allowing the fetus to survive inside the mother during pregnancy. According to "A Woman's Guide to Natural Hormones" by Christine Conrad, estrogen also controls more than 300 other functions in the female body.
Fluctuation
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Estrogen levels increase during pregnancy and decrease when a woman does not have enough body fat due to malnutrition, too much exercise or an eating disorder.
Benefits
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According to drugs.com, estrogen is also used in certain medications to treat osteoporosis, prostate cancer, breast cancer and menopause. Estrogen is commonly included in hormone replacement therapy drugs, which are used to treat menopause.
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