Estrogen

Estrogens are a group of compounds who have got their name from the estrous cycle of humans and animals. Estrogen is the primary sex hormone for females. The natural kind of estrogens are steroid hormones while some synthetics are non-steroidal. Alle vertebrates synthesizes estrogens, and even some insects. The fact that it is present in both insects and vertebrates can suggest that this hormone have an ancient evolutionary history.

Estrogens are used in hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women, as part of some oral contraceptives, and in hormone replacement therapy for trans women.

There are 3 major naturally occurring estrongens in women, and they are estriol, estrone and estradiol. Estriol is the primary estrogen for pregnancy, estrone is produced during menopause, and estradiol is the predominant form in nonpregnant women. From menarche to menopause estradiol is the primary estrogen, while the primary estrogen in postmenopausal women is estrone.

Estrogens are primarily produced by developing follicles in the ovaries, the placenta and the corpus luteum. Furthermore, some estrogens are produced in small amounts by other tissue, for example the breasts, liver and adrenal glands.

Both men and women have estrogens present in their bodies, but the levels are significantly higher in women of reproductive age.

Estrogens are considered to play a big part in the mental health of women. Fluctuating estrogen, estrogen withdrawal and periods of low levels of estrogen correlates with mood lowering. Recovery from depression caused by postpartum, perimenopause and postmenopause has been shown to be effective when the levels of estrogen were restored and/or stabilized.

The medical use for estrogen can be in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.