By Our Medical Correspondent
Almost from the moment of conception, estrogen plays an essential role in the Browth, appearance, and behavior of females, It times the phases of female life and makes reproduction possible. Yet, not all of estrogens effects are benign. An important element in health, estrogen (and the lack of it) can also cause serious health problems, Here are the answers to some basic questions about this hormone.
What is estrogen
Estrogen is one of two major female hormones (the other being progesterone, one of a group known as progestins), It isn’t ‘one compound but several (some natural, some synthetic), belonging to a larger chemical class known as steroids, Steroids which include all the sex hormones plus some other hormones, are made by the body from a basic building block, cholesterol. Like the nerve cells, with which they interact, hormones are part of the body’s communication system.
The system in which estrogen plays such a key role has its headquarters in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus sends a chemical signal to the body’s master gland, the pituitary, which in a regulated sequence releases two hormones (known as follicle stimulating hormone, or FSH and luteinizing hormone, or LH), Carried by the bloodstream, these act directly on the ovaries, stimulating certain cells to produce estrogen and progesterone and causing an egg to be released (ovulation) and move further along the reproductive tract. Together these four hormones orchestrate ovulation, menstruation, and if fertilization occurs, pregnancy.
High levels of estrogen characterized the moment of ovulation while rising levels of progesterone characterize succeeding days of the cycle. If fertilization has not occurred these two hormones fall to their lowest level about two weeks after ovulation in a normal cycle and menstruation starts. The Jow level of estrogen signals the hypothalamus to restart the cycle
Produced in increasing quantities at puberty, estrogen controls the development of breasts, reproductive organs, pubic hair, and certain sweat glands, as well as the laying down of fatty deposits in the hips and thighs. Besides all this, estrogen has a positive effect on blood cholesterol, raising the {good element (HDL) and lowering the bad (LDL). It also exerts a decisive influence on calcium retention and bone building. It interacts with many other bodily systems in ways not yet fully understood.
Where is it produced?
The ovaries are the main but not the sole site of estrogen production, the adrenal glands and other tissue, such as fat, liver and the skeletal muscles, produce estrogen. So does the placenta during pregnancy. In males the testes and adrenal glands also produce small amounts of estrogen, Compounds resembling estrogen are found even in plants and estrogen is also produced synthetically for many uses.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 29, 1989
