Estrogen

What is estrogen?

Estrogen is one of the key sex hormones in the female body. It plays an important role in various bodily functions such as:

• Regulating the menstrual cycle


• Controlling fertility and pregnancy


• Influencing the health of bones, skin, hair, connective tissues and more

Some key points about estrogen:

• Produced primarily by the ovaries but also in smaller amounts by other tissues like fat


• There are 3 major types of estrogen - estradiol, estrone and estriol


• Levels fluctuate through monthly menstrual cycle

Effects and Functions

Some major functions and effects of estrogen in the female body:

• Develops and maintains female sex characteristics - breasts, body fat distribution, genitalia


• Causes growth spurt during puberty and plays a key role through adolescence


• Controls menstrual cycle - regulates frequency and length of cycle


• Maintains pregnancy - stimulates endometrium and affects fetal development


• Protects bone health - prevents loss of bone density with age


• Cardiovascular effects - helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels

Have you been experiencing irregular periods, menopause symptoms or fertility issues? The expert physicians at Balance Hormone Center can help diagnose and treat any estrogen-related issues with state-of-the-art testing and personalized care.

Conditions Related to Estrogen

Abnormal estrogen levels or problems with estrogen signaling can manifest in various medical conditions:

• Amenorrhea - absence of periods


• Dysmenorrhea - painful and heavy periods


• Endometriosis


• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)


• Uterine fibroids


• Early onset of menopause


• Osteoporosis and bone loss


• Heart disease


• Cancer such as breast and endometrial cancer

The board-certified doctors at Balance Hormone Center utilize advanced diagnostic tests to check your estrogen and other hormone levels. They can provide bioidentical hormone therapy, customized nutrition plans, stress management techniques and other holistic treatment approaches to help restore hormonal balance.

Diagnosis and Testing

There are various lab tests available to diagnose issues related to abnormal estrogen:

• Serum or urine tests to check estradiol, estrone and estriol levels


• Pelvic ultrasounds - check uterine lining thickness as marker of estrogen levels


• Endometrial biopsy


• Bone density test to assess bone loss


• Genetic testing related to estrogen metabolism

At Balance Hormone Center, our compassionate care specialists will carefully listen to all your symptoms and health goals. We will recommend the appropriate estrogen tests, gently walk you through the diagnosis, and craft a personalized treatment plan suited to your lifestyle and needs.

Treatment Options

Some treatment options doctors may recommend for low/high estrogen:

• Hormone therapy - estrogen pills, patches, gels or vaginal rings


• Oral contraceptives or progesterone pills to complement estrogen


• Bone loss medications like bisphosphonates


• Surgery such as endometrial ablation or hysterectomy

Lifestyle changes like weight management, diet, exercise and stress reduction also help balance hormones.

Our integrative care packages at Balance Hormone Center combine bioidentical hormones, nutrition planning, fitness guidance and stress-busting therapies for holistic healing from within. We also provide online remote consultations and care management for maximum convenience. Contact us today for a free 15-minute phone consultation with our hormone specialists!