Estrogen is a group of hormones that have a very important role in the development and growth of female sexual characteristics and reproductive processes. This hormone is not only produced in the female body, but in the male body at much lower levels.
The hormone estrogen plays an important role in every stage of a woman's life, from puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, to menopause. The following is a complete explanation of the female hormone estrogen.
The importance of estrogen for women
Specifically, the female hormone estrogen plays a role in the growth and development of the sexual organs. There are 3 types of estrogen hormones, namely estradiol, estriol, and estrone.
Estradiol has the highest levels in women during their childbearing years, while estriol is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Meanwhile, estrone is widely distributed in the body and becomes the main estrogen during premenopause.
In addition, here are some of the functions of estrogen for women:
- Manages the part of the brain that prepares the body for sexual and reproductive development
- Stimulates the ovaries and stimulates the start of the menstrual cycle. This condition is a sign of a mature reproductive system
- Stimulates the uterus to mature immediately and helps prepare the uterus as a place for the fetus to develop
- Stimulates breast development during puberty and prepares the mammary glands to produce milk
What happens when a woman lacks the hormone estrogen?
Symptoms that appear when a person experiences a lack of the hormone estrogen can vary from person to person. This is influenced by how much estrogen levels in a woman.
Symptoms of a lack of the hormone estrogen can include sleep disturbances, causing extreme fatigue during the day, and difficulty focusing. In addition, a lack of the hormone estrogen can cause symptoms such as joint pain, dry skin and vaginal dryness, bones become brittle and break easily, headaches, and an increased risk of bladder infections. Lack of estrogen can even cause major depression.
Tips to increase the hormone estrogen
Under some conditions, women can have low estrogen levels. This condition can be normal, such as during menopause, it can also be a sign of a hormonal disorder. Low levels of estrogen can affect a woman's fertility and even mood . To increase the hormone estrogen, we can do it with hormone therapy, multiply B vitamins, vitamin D, and soy, and do some herbal remedies.
Those are the things you need to know about the importance of the hormone estrogen for women. It is necessary to carry out regular check-ups and consultations with a doctor at a trusted hospital so that a woman knows how much her estrogen levels are and what risks she might experience.
Article written by dr. Kondang Usodo, Sp.OG (Obstetrics Specialist at EMC Tangerang Hospital).