Adolescence is the period of physical, emotional and sexual transition from childhood to adulthood. The most distinctive feature of this period is that with the brain development reaching a certain level, the signals coming from the brain stimulate the ovaries and the estrogen hormone starts to secrete from the ovaries. In the middle of the menstrual cycle, the estrogen level suddenly rises in the blood, causing the egg to be released from the ovary.
What is Estrogen Hormone?
Hormones are special chemical messengers that regulate the functions of organs in general and tell certain tissues to behave in a certain way. Estrogen is a hormone synthesized mainly from cholesterol in the ovaries. A small amount is also secreted from adipose tissue and adrenal gland. After it is formed, it passes into the blood and reaches the organ where it will affect after half an hour. It changes the functions of cells by creating its own signals in the target organ.
Estrogen level drops rapidly after ovulation. In other words, the main reason for ovulation, that is, for the continuity of the species, is the regular secretion of estrogen in the body.
One of the most important hormones in women is progesterone. The main effect of progesterone is the regulation of the inner lining of the uterus to allow the fetus to settle in the uterus and to ensure the continuation of pregnancy.
Estrogen is a sex hormone that plays a major role in the development and preservation of female sex characteristics. Its main function is breast development, pubic and axillary hair growth, regulation of the menstrual cycle and reproductive reproduction. It helps the development of its function.
Estrogen creates a suitable environment for the fertilization of the embryo and its placement in the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) during the menstrual cycle, and provides nutrition to the embryo.
The ovaries are the organs that are mainly responsible for estrogen production. Estrogen plays a role in structural differences between male and female bodies. For example, estrogen is the reason why women have wider hip bones and their hair is longer and more permanent.
Synthetic estrogens used as drugs are used as drugs in medicine to provide birth control and reduce the effects of menopause. Estrogen is an important hormone that affects many systems in the body and can be the cause of both health and disease.
There are three important types of estrogen.
- Estrone: It is the type of estrogen that is most abundant in the blood after menopause and has the weakest effect. It is present in small amounts in many cells of the body, mainly in fat and muscle cells.
- Estradiol: It is the strongest and most effective type of estrogen. It is the major hormone produced by the ovary. It affects the formation of some female cancers such as endometriosis (chocolate cyst), fibroids and endometrium (uterine) cancer.
- Estriol: It is the most secreted and weakest type during pregnancy.
What are the Effects of Estrogen on the Reproductive System?
- Ovaries: It stimulates the development of eggs (follicle) in the ovaries.
- Vagina: It provides maturation and thickening of the vaginal epithelium, maintaining the acid balance of the vaginal environment and vaginal lubrication to prevent bacterial infection.
- Fallopian tubes: Development of the tube epithelium and muscle layer, sperm and It allows the tubes to contract to help the egg meet.
- Womb (uterus): The endometrium, which covers the inner membrane of the uterus and is shed during the menstrual cycle, is supplied with blood, nourishment and necessary enzymes to help the fetus settle. Ensuring their activity is thanks to estrogen.
- Cervical (cervix): Estrogen regulates the flow and amount of secretions coming from the uterus (uterus). It facilitates the passage of sperm through the cervix to ensure fertilization.
- Breast tissue: Estrogen works together with other hormones in the breast. It is responsible for the growth of the breast in adolescence, the pigmentation of the nipples, the provision of breastfeeding and its termination at the appropriate time.
What are the Effects of Estrogen on the Body?
It reduces bone destruction and increases bone formation . It is responsible for ending the elongation of the bones, widening the hipbone and narrowing the shoulders. It increases the fat storage around the hip and thigh areas, which makes the body more curved and shaped.
Estrogen prevents uncontrolled growth during adolescence and increases sensitivity to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that plays a major role in balancing the body's muscle/fat ratio. It causes an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) and triglycerides, and a decrease in bad cholesterol (LDL). Estrogen is therefore important to your heart health. It helps protect the. Its deficiency paves the way for arteriosclerosis (atherosclerosis).
It has positive effects on mental health. It plays an important role in stabilizing the mood. The tendency to depression is greater during menopause when estrogen production decreases. It has rejuvenating effects on the skin. It exerts these effects through estrogen receptors, which are more abundant in the face, thighs and breasts. It increases the blood supply and collagen content of the skin. It thickens the skin. It makes the hair more permanent, and the hair on other parts of the body becomes thinner and less prominent.
It is the reason why the tone of voice is thin. The change in tone of voice according to the days of the menstrual cycle is due to estrogen. Especially before and during the first days of menstruation, the tone of the voice may deteriorate. In some countries, vocal artists are considered to be on leave during these periods.
How to increase estrogen hormone?
The reason for estrogen deficiency is menopause. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is given to replace the estrogen deficiency in menopause. Which patient will be given is determined as a result of appropriate tests. In this treatment, estrogen alone can be given orally or locally (on the skin or in the vagina). Quitting smoking, regular exercise and a balanced diet increase the synthesis of estrogen secreted from adipose tissue and provide very important benefits in reducing the symptoms of estrogen deficiency. Estrogen hormone level in the blood does not increase with non-drug food intake. However, foods with weak estrogenic effects, such as phytoestrogens, can reduce the symptoms of estrogen deficiency.
Foods containing phytoestrogens:
Legumes: Soybeans, peas, kidney beans and dried beans
Fruits: Bilberry, prune, apricot
Herbs: Oregano, Sage, licorice, red clover, angelica Black and green tea, Whole grain, flaxseed
Vegetables: Broccoli and cauliflower
Chaste berry (vitas agnus castus-chaste berry) can also relieve menopause complaints. It is an herb with estrogen-like effects that has been shown to reduce It should be taken as a medicine under the control of a doctor.
For your questions about estrogen, Grup Florence Nightingal You can consult the expert team of e Hospitals. You can reach our expert team by using the contact form or by calling 444 0436.
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