Estrogen why is it important

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and risks of estrogen, and which conditions may be treated with hormone therapy. Your natural estrogen production changes over time. As you begin puberty, you will create more estrogen. As menopause approaches, your estrogen levels will begin falling. As estrogen levels fall, you will start having symptoms of menopause. Most commonly, these symptoms include:.

For menopause, many doctors will prescribe an estrogen-containing medication. Replacing the declining estrogen with hormone therapy may help ease menopause symptoms. Estrogen can help maintain vaginal health. When estrogen levels decline, you may experience changes to the tissue, lining, and pH balance of your vagina. That can cause several vaginal health issues, including:.

The ovaries are responsible for producing estrogen. If they fail to produce the hormone or if they are affected by any other condition, hormone therapy may be necessary. Sometimes, both the uterus and ovaries are removed. This is called a total hysterectomy. Estrogen may help decrease bone loss after menopause. However, new medications are better able to stop and reverse bone loss, so most doctors rely on those now.

In those cases, your doctor may recommend using estrogen to treat bone loss, or osteoporosis. Learn more about osteoporosis treatments ». Hormone therapy is not without its risks. In fact, hormone therapy is not used as widely as it once was because research began revealing complications with long-term use, such as cancer and heart risks.

However, thanks to these studies, doctors and medical researchers have a better understanding of who will benefit most from estrogen therapy and who should try other treatments. Doctors typically prescribe estrogen-only medication to women who have had a hysterectomy but still have their ovaries. Women who have not had a hysterectomy usually receive a combination estrogen-progesterone medicine.

The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. Removing the uterus during a hysterectomy removes the risk of endometrial cancer. In addition to menopause, estrogen therapy can also help resolve :. High levels of estrogen can increase the risk and progression of some types of breast cancer.

Some hormone treatments block the action of estrogen as a way of slowing or stopping cancer development. Hormonal therapy is not for everyone. A family history of breast cancer or thyroid issues may contradict using hormones.

People who are unsure can speak to a doctor. A doctor can prescribe estrogen as part of the therapy for a person assigned male at birth who wishes to transition to female. The person may also need anti-androgenic treatment. Estrogen can help a person develop female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breasts, and reduce male pattern hair formation. Estrogen therapy will be part of a broader treatment approach. A healthcare professional can advise the individual on the best course of treatment.

Some types prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation, and they do this by ensuring that hormone levels do not fluctuate throughout the month. Other uses include decreasing premenstrual symptoms and reducing the severity of hormone-related acne. Oral birth control presents more risk for women who smoke or are over the age of 35 years. Long-term use may also lead to a higher risk of breast cancer. Some studies suggest that these may affect levels of estrogen in the body.

However, there is not enough evidence to confirm this. Some people believe that foods containing phytoestrogens can help manage hot flashes and other effects of menopause, but this does not have scientific backing. In addition, eating whole soy foods, for example, is unlikely to have the same effect as taking extracts from soy as a supplement. Some herbs and supplements contain phytoestrogens, which act in a similar way to estrogen.

These may help regulate estrogen and treat symptoms of menopause. However, it is unclear exactly how these compounds affect estrogen and estrogen-related activity in the body, and there is not enough evidence to confirm that they are safe and effective, especially in the long term. Researchers have called for further studies. As a result, it is not possible to know exactly what a product contains.

Phytoestrogens are a natural compound found in plants. When eaten, they may affect a person in the same way as estrogen produced by the body.

Find out a out the role of the hormone progesterone in the human body, how an imbalance can affect both women and men, and how it can be treated. Or you may lose bladder control incontinence. Thinning of the vagina may cause dryness and painful sex. Estrogen helps maintain strong bones by preventing calcium loss.

Too little calcium can increase the risk of fractures in the spine, hips, and leg and arm bones. Women who drink a lot of alcohol, who smoke, who are not active, and who are thin or petite are at greater risk.

A family history of osteoporosis may also increase risk. Heart disease. Estrogen made by the body seems to protect against heart disease. It may do this by raising the level of HDL good cholesterol in the blood.

After menopause, the risk for heart disease rises sharply. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to protect your heart health. Hormone replacement therapy HRT can reduce some symptoms of menopause.