Estrogen is the main female hormone that is produced from birth through menopause. But what does it do?
Made up of estrone, estradiol, and estriol, estrogen fluctuates throughout a woman’s life, starting low at birth, rising quickly during puberty, then dropping off after menopause.
The levels also change during menstruation and pregnancy. This means there’s a delicate, ever-changing balance between what’s normal and abnormal.
But if you’re looking for a graph that says how high or low estrogen levels should be, you won’t be able to find one.
“In a normal, healthy person, estrogens will fluctuate throughout the month, throughout their cycle. You have to look at it through the context of what’s going on for that person,” said Dr. Rita Ellen Eye, an OB/GYN and owner of Premier OB-Gyn.
Eye said estrogen does “everything” for women, affecting the reproductive system, heart and bones. If taken after menopause, it can reduce the risk of dementia.
“I’m not sure that there’s any system in the body that estrogens don’t play a role in,” Eye said.
She said if a woman’s estrogen is fluctuating incorrectly or just staying at a high level, that can cause big issues.
“That can lead to problems with the menstrual cycles… abnormally heavy bleeding. You can increase your risk of certain cancers, particularly uterine cancer,” explained Eye.
High estrogen can also be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome or ovarian cancer, both of which cause excessive production.
“If that imbalance is not corrected or not addressed, it could set you up for a lot of health problems down the line,” Eye said.
The most obvious symptom is a change in your menstrual cycle. Checking in with your doctor may help you find and solve a much bigger problem.
Estrogen levels can be tested in blood, urine, and saliva. Because estrogen levels change so often, multiple tests may be needed to confirm a problem.