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Estrogens
Functions:
- Responsible for normal growth and development of female sex organs
- Maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics
- Protection against bone loss and heart disease
The term "estrogen" actually refers to a group of related hormones, each with a unique profile of activity. Under normal circumstances, a woman?s circulating estrogen levels fluctuate based on her menstrual cycle. For Hormone Replacement Therapy, these hormones are often prescribed in combination to re-establish a normal physiologic balance. The three main estrogens produced in female humans are:
- Estrone - E1 (10-20% of circulating estrogens) is the primary estrogen produced after menopause
- Estradiol - E2 (10-30% of circulating estrogens) is the most potent and major secretory product of the ovary, and the predominant estrogen produced before menopause.
There are benefits in using natural forms of estrogen for replacement therapy. When prescribed for menopause, estrogen can alleviate hot flashes, vaginal and urinary dryness, night sweats, and mood swings. There are also cardiovascular benefits to estrogen replacement, such as increasing HDL (good cholesterol) and decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol), protecting against heart disease, and maintaining good blood vessel supply. Lastly, estrogen replacement can help prevent bone loss when begun early.
As with any medicine, natural estrogen replacement can have some side effects that can include nausea, loss of appetite, breast tenderness, headaches, and alterations in body chemistry. The increased risk of cancer is also present, although, the concern of cancer can be mediated by lowering the dose of estrogen and by adding natural progesterone. A thorough evaluation of the benefit to risk ratio with a physician or health care provider is recommended. |
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