Estrogen is a sex hormone that’s necessary for maintaining your sexual and reproductive health. Estrogen levels naturally fluctuate during different life stages and your menstrual cycle. Consistently high or low levels of estrogen may signal a condition that requires your healthcare provider’s attention.
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Estrogen is a group of female sex hormones. Along with other hormones (like progesterone), estrogen plays a key role in female reproductive health. Males have estrogen, too, but in much lower amounts.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Estrogen plays an important role in other body systems for males and females. This includes supporting heart, bone and brain health. Levels that are consistently low or high — when they’re not supposed to be — may signal an underlying condition.
There are three major forms of estrogen:
There are laboratory-made forms of estrogen. Healthcare providers may prescribe them to help with certain symptoms or conditions. Both menopause hormone therapy and combination birth control pills often contain estrogen.
Like all hormones, estrogen is a chemical messenger. It tells your body when to start and stop processes affecting your sexual and reproductive health. Estrogen has specific roles during different life stages and bodily processes for females.
Estrogen levels rise and fall throughout your life. The fluctuation is normal. For instance, it’s normal for estrogen levels to:
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Estrogen levels rise during puberty in females. The increase leads to physical changes, including further development (maturation) of your:
During puberty, estrogen also triggers changes in overall body composition, specifically adipose tissue (body fat) storage. It affects the shaping of your skeleton, too.
Estrogen, along with other hormones, plays an important part in your menstrual cycle. These hormones coexist in a delicate balance to keep your periods regular.
Estrogen rises during the follicular phase of your cycle. It causes the lining of your uterus (the endometrium) to grow and thicken.
Estrogen is highest in the days leading up to ovulation. This is your most fertile period. At the same time, estrogen thins your cervical mucus. This is the fluid sperm swim through to reach and fertilize the egg released during ovulation. These changes make it easier for you to become pregnant if you have unprotected vaginal sex.
During pregnancy, estrogen (mainly estriol) plays a role in:
It also allows your uterus to contract to prepare for labor.
Estrogen makes it more comfortable to have intercourse. It keeps your vaginal walls elastic and lubricated, reducing pain associated with penetrative sex.
Estrogen levels naturally drop during perimenopause, the time right before menopause.
The decrease in estrogen may lead to symptoms like vaginal dryness and hot flashes. The primary estrogen changes from estradiol (E2) to estrone (E1) during menopause.
Estrogen seems to play important roles in males. This is mainly apparent because low or high levels of the hormone can cause issues.
In boys, estrogen deficiency limits the growth spurt in puberty due to the hormone’s effect on bones.
Estrogen also impacts male sexual and reproductive health. Too little estrogen can lead to a low sex drive. Too much of it can cause infertility, erectile dysfunction and enlarged breasts.
For everyone, estrogen regulates important processes in several body systems. It affects your:
Your ovaries make most of your estrogen during your reproductive years. Your adrenal glands and adipose tissue (body fat) release estrogen, too. The placenta releases estrogen during pregnancy.
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If you’re male, your body converts small amounts of androgens (like testosterone) into estrogen.
Once it’s released, estrogen travels through your bloodstream until it reaches the part of your body that needs to be spurred into action. There, estrogen binds to a protein, called an estrogen receptor, that gets the process moving. You have estrogen receptors throughout your body.
Estrogen imbalances can play a role in several female health conditions, including:
In females and males, estrogen imbalances can play a role in:
Scientists continue to research estrogen’s role in conditions affecting other body systems.
Estradiol is the main form of estrogen in your body once you get your period. In general, normal levels of estradiol for females include:
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After menopause, estrone is the main estrogen. In general, normal levels of estrone during postmenopause are 3 to 32 pg/mL.
For males, normal estradiol levels are:
Interpreting estrogen test results can be complex. And normal ranges can vary from lab to lab. Your healthcare provider will explain your results and what they mean for you.
An estrogen test can measure your levels of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) or estriol (E3). It’s a simple blood test. Your healthcare provider may recommend testing one or more of these estrogens if you have certain symptoms.
Since estrogen levels vary for many reasons and stages of life, your provider will explain what the results mean for your situation.
Estrogen is a multifaceted hormone that plays crucial roles in female sexual and reproductive health. But it’s also essential for maintaining several aspects of everyone’s overall health. For example, you can thank estrogen for strong bones and clarity of thought.
Because this hormone is so important, imbalances can lead to several health issues. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your estrogen levels.
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