Estrogen is one of the most talked about hormones, and it is found in both men and women. While the role estrogen plays in men is still relatively unclear, the importance of estrogen in women cannot be understated. Estrogen plays a crucial role throughout a woman’s life, from her menstrual cycle and pregnancy to her bone density. Understanding the importance of estrogen can help us take better care of our bodies and tune into our body’s chemical changes as we age.
The Importance of Estrogen
What Is Estrogen?
Estrogen is a group of hormones that affect sexual and reproductive development in women. While most estrogen hormones are created in a woman’s ovaries, some estrogen hormones are created in the adrenal glands and fat cells. The importance of estrogen and the role it plays in the development of a woman’s body has long been studied. Not only do estrogen hormones regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle, but they also affect the reproductive tract, the urinary tract, the heart and blood vessels, bones, breasts, skin, hair, mucous membranes, pelvic muscles, and the brain.
To understand the importance of estrogen, you first have to understand hormones. Hormones are often called chemical messengers because they carry vital information from one group of cells to another. These chemical messages regulate our digestive tract, our growth and development, our metabolism, and reproduction. If these hormones are blocked and begin to diminish with age, our body’s otherwise normal responses change as a result. And just like with food, your body needs a certain amount of estrogen to operate smoothly. Too little or too much estrogen can cause noticeable and often negative affects.
Estrogen Affects Your Mood
Estrogen plays a big role in your overall mood. This is why most postmenopausal women experience mood swings – their bodies are no longer producing estrogen. It is an antidepressant and mood stabilizer, and it can create a feel-good emotion when paired with serotonin. If your body is producing lower levels of estrogen, you might notice bouts of listlessness, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Estrogen Impacts Your Bones
Estrogen also helps maintain bone density. This is why postmenopausal women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. And it isn’t just postmenopausal women who are at risk of bone loss – women who experience early menopause (before age 45) or any long phases in which they have no or infrequent menstrual periods can also suffer from a loss of bone mass.
Estrogen Affects Your Heart
Researchers and physicians continue studying estrogen and the importance of estrogen in the human body. One surprising area impacted by this hormone is your heart. Studies show that estrogen impacts almost every organ system, including the heart and blood vessels. It has been connected to increased healthy cholesterol HDL and the decrease of negative LDL cholesterol. It has also been shown to promote the formation of blood clots and can soak up free radicals that can damage arteries and tissue.
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If you’re interested in learning more about estrogen and hormone replacement therapy, contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic today a Med Spa in Springfield, MO. We can check your current blood levels, examine a thorough blood panel, and help you embrace a healthful lifestyle. To get started, please schedule a free consultation online or give us a call at 417-447-7777.
