Hormones communicate between organs and tissues. Responsible for a wide range of processes including sleep, mood, movement, growth and development of our reproductive system and the female characteristics.
Oestrogen or estrogen both are correct. I believe oestrogen is the English spelling. All down to preference. Much of the time this wonderful hormone is referred to as oestrogen rather than oestrogens which could make you think it’s one single hormone. In fact there are three types, oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol.
oestrogens
- Oestradiol – ever present through our reproductive years. I think she’s the real powerhouse of the three
- Oestrone – our bodies continue to make after menopause
- oestriol – present during pregnancy otherwise it’s said to be difficult to detect
what is oestrogen?
Most of our oestrogen is made in our ovaries but also in other glands too including the adrenal glands. Men produce oestrogen in much smaller amounts. It’s responsible for our reproductive health, menstrual cycle, breasts development, our feminine features, bones skin, fat distribution, skin, brain, urinary tract and so on I’m sure you get the picture. We have oestrogen receptors all over our bodies. Hence the reason perimenopause and menopause effects our whole body, it’s not just hot flashes!
As mentioned oestrogen is responsible for regulating our menstrual cycle. When our bodies prepare for an impending pregnancy. Each month one of the ovaries drops an egg. If the egg isn’t fertilised by a sperm the lining of the uterus comes away. Hey presto giving way to a period. However ladies who are on cyclical HRT (hormone replacement therapy) usually have an induced bleed.
Research shows oestradiol also plays an important role for our immune system It impacts inflammation in the body keeping it low. In turn keeping our immune system health. During perimenopause and menopause oestradiol reduces as we know, which could cause inflammation leading to numerous illness. I have a family member who suffers from lupus, a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder. I recall her having problems during perimenopause. Unfortunately it took forever to diagnose. Sometimes she would suffer with intolerable flare ups unable to walk due to pain. I often wonder if oestradiol could have helped her. I’ll have to continue to wonder. She was never given the option only pain killers which effected her stomach in negatives ways. Thankfully we know more now. Specialist doctors are available.
lastly
I was fortunate enough to be referred to a fantastic professor specialising in hormones at Innsbruck University hospital. A privilege I’d say. Not due to any problems but my interest. She was kind enough to afford me some of her time. She mentioned trials were soon to start regarding testosterone on menopausal women at various stages of the transition. An important hormone sometimes forgotten or overlooked. I volunteered to take part in the trials, unfortunately they are not public. Hopefully another time. I applaud the women who went before us.
Testosterone can already be taken as part of HRT usually available via private medical professionals.
“False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long…” Charles Robert Darwin
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