What is estrogen?

Estrogen is a hormone composed of estrone, estradiol and estriol This is the most important sex hormone for women, and it is also necessary for menstrual cycle Although estrogen is also present in men, the number of women is much higher (especially those with reproductive capacity) Estrogen contributes to the development of secondary sexual characteristics and is a major factor in defining the differences between men and women outside the reproductive system These women's features include large breasts, large pelvis, large amounts of fat in the hips and thighs In addition, estrogen also determines that women's facial hair is less and their skin is more delicate than men's Estrogen is an important part of female reproductive system It controls the menstrual cycle and prepares the uterus for pregnancy by increasing endometrial thickness Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone help ovulating women control the production of estrogen Most oestrogens are produced in women's ovaries by developing follicles The corpus luteum and placenta in the ovaries also produce estrogen In addition, the liver, breast and adrenal gland also secrete a small amount of estrogen Estrogen can be decomposed into estrone, estradiol and estriol During the female reproductive period (from menstruation to menopause), the main type of estrogen produced is estradiol The enzyme acts on the androgen to produce estradiol Testosterone promotes the production of estradiol Estrogen is not only related to the female reproductive cycle, but also important for health Although estrogen supplements can cause some women to retain water and increase their risk of breast cancer, they also have many benefits and can increase high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and reduce low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) Women's estrogen secretion after menopause is greatly reduced This can lead to vaginal dryness, memory loss, hot flashes, fatigue, irritability, and reduced bone density Although the safety and efficacy of estrogen replacement therapy is controversial, menopausal women can consult their doctors to choose the safest and most effective treatment.