How Does Estrogen Work?

Estrogen Explaination

A woman's body makes hormones made of steriod compounds formed by oxygen and hydrogen bondings to produce estrogen, which is the main female sexual hormone. After it is made, estrogen diffuses through the membrane of the cell to come into contact with estrogen receptors inside the cell.
The female body actually makes three variations of the estrogen compounds: estrone, estradiol and estriol. Estrone is produced by the body during menopause, estradiol is produced by non-pregnant females and estriol is produced by the female body during pregnancy.

Estrogen Functions

When women hits the reproductive age, their bodies amp estrogen production up to higher levels. The increased levels of estrogen, specifically estradiol, is what develops female reproductive organs, including starting menstrual cycle regulation.

In females, estrogen aids in the formation of sexual organs and characteristics, speeds up a woman's metabolism, slows down height growth, lessens muscle mass, increases lubrication in the vagina, solidifies and thickens the vagina wall, increases hormone production, increases retention of water and salt, solidifies bone formation and increases circulation.

Estrogen also balances hormone levels and increases sexual desire by elevated androgen levels.

Males produce estrogen as well, but at significantly decreased levels compared to females. In male estrogen production, the purpose is mainly to mature sperm.

Estrogen and Breast Cancer

Variations in estrogen levels are the reason for almost 80 percent of breast cancer growth, because estrogen feeds cancers. Therapy reducing these estrogen levels is a common treatment.