Why Estrogens, Progesterone, and Testosterone is vitally important for your health
Your Hormones
Estrogens and Progesterone are the 2 primary "female" hormones. Both are closely related chemically to the primary "male" hormones, testosterone and it''s derivative dihydrotestosterone or DHT (see figure). The fact that are so similar yet have very different effects illustrates the fact that important messengers have to be exactly right to act on their related receptors, like a lock and a key. Other related structures to the sex hormones include vitamin D (actually a prohormone, DHEA, and pregnenolone.
All sex hormones- estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone - peak near age 20 and then decrease with age. All sex hormones are found in both men and women but the level is very different, again highlighting the importance of what makes us male, and female. Estradiol is the most important estrogen and testosterone is the most important male hormone. Normal estradiol levels are: 30 to 400 pg/mL for premenopausal women and 10-50 pg/mL for men, while normal total testosterone levels are 300-1000 nanogram per deciliter (ng/dL) in males and 15-70 ng/dL for females.
Estrogens:
There are three main types of estrogen hormones which typically dominate in women:
Estrone (E1)
Estriol (E3)
Estradiol (E2)
Typically in the circulation, estradiol will make up to 40% of total estrogen, E1 will make up an additional 40%, with estriol (E3) comprising the remaining 20% of total estrogen. In women, estradiol is one of the main sex hormones responsible for ovulation. Estradiol also plays a role in the development of bones and female-associated secondary sex characteristics development, as well as the optimal functioning of the brain and reproductive system, as well as other important functions- like maintaining healthy skin. It's important to maintain a healthy balance of estradiol and other estrogens—not too much, but not too little.
In some target tissue (adipose tissue, skin, brain and testes) estradiol is made from androgens (male hormones).
Estriol
Estriol is the main type of estrogen in pregnancy. During pregnancy, your developing baby’s adrenal glands make DHEAS (see more here). The baby’ liver changes this hormone into another chemical called 16a-hydroxy-DHEAS. This chemical travels to the placenta, where it changes into estriol. It then enters the pregnant mother's bloodstream, causing estriol levels to rise.
The placenta is a unique organ that only exists inside your uterus during pregnancy. Estriol levels are at their highest about three weeks before you give birth.
In non-pregnant women, estriol is commonly used for hormonal support with most of the benefits seen with estradiol. However, it's considered a 'weaker' estrogen and usually blood levels are low. Estriol was originally thought to have little significance due to its weak estrogenic activity when compared with estrone and estradiol. However,, research has found that its weakness may very well be its strength.
Studies suggest that when the lower-potency estriol, is administered topically, it does not increase the risk of hormone-dependent cancers of the breast or endometrium (uterine lining).. However, having weaker estrogenic effects does not mean that estriol has none of the benefits that come with more potent estrogens. Studies suggest that estriol reduces symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, but with a better safety profile compared with more potent estrogens. This makes estriol a better choice for bioidentical hormone-replacement treatment regimes.
That is not all this 'weak' hormone is good for! Research suggests that estriol has benefits for bone density, heart health, multiple sclerosis, and postmenopausal urinary tract health.
When estriol is given together with estradiol, the estradiol-specific stimulation to cells is decreased. This little-appreciated scientific fact helps to explain how estriol can reduce pro-carcinogenic effects of more powerful estrogens like estradiol. However, when estriol is given alone over a long period of time, it can produce a more complete pro-estrogenic effect, explaining why symptom relief is achieved when menopausal women take estriol. Experimental studies suggest that both estriol and tamoxifen (a synthetic anti-estrogen) have protective effects against radiation-induced cancer of the breast.14
Progesterone
The main function of progesterone is to prepare the endometrium (lining of your uterus for a fertilized egg to implant and grow. If a pregnancy doesn’t occur, the endometrium sheds during your menstrual period. If conception occurs, progesterone increases to support the pregnancy. It also helps to support lactation. Although not as important as estrogens for hormonal support after menopause, low progesterone may result in mood changes, night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. It also helps regulation endometrial proliferation from estrogens and so is recommended by most authorities if you have a uterus and are taking estrogen long term after menopause. See strategies for hormone support.
Testosterone
Circulating testosterone activates the androgen receptor (AR) and is also converted into estrogen in the brain via aromatase. 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone
Although testosterone can be converted to estradiol, the reverse does not happen. Testosterone, however, is not the main androgen (hormones that promote male characteristics) in women. Instead, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione are the more common androgens in women. These three compounds may then be converted to testosterone to produce masculinizing effects. See more about DHEA.
An androgen is any natural or synthetic steroid hormone that regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics by binding to androgen receptors. The primary male hormones are testosterone and it's powerful derivative, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Adrenal androgens include corticosteroids.
Testosterone is critical to the male reproductive system. But testosterone levels also impact metabolism, energy, muscle strength and mass, mood, and mor for both men and women. Low levels of free testosterone become increasingly common as we age. Low testosterone is associated with age-related chronic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. In one meta-analysis, low testosterone was associated with an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease or any other cause. It seems that even a little bit of testosterone can make a big difference. Low levels of free testosterone have been identified during perimenopause and are most dramatic in women with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
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