Estrogen is commonly associated with its role in development of female sexual characteristics. Although it is primary female sex hormones, it is produced by both sexes undertaking various additional functions which includes,
- Regulating bone health.
- Sugar & Fat metabolism
- Blood flow
There are four different types of Estrogen (E1 to E4) with E2(estradiol) being the most potent form in premenopausal women & men. The other forms only increase during pregnancy( E3, or E4) & post menopause( E1)
Besides reflecting changes during puberty, Estrogen plays an important role in adult men & women:
- Reproductive function: in Women, estrogen regulates menstrual cycle specifically thickening of the uterus during follicular phase. In men, it helps to regulate sperm production & plays a role in erectile function.
- Bone Health: Estrogen helps in maintaining healthy bones by inhibiting bone cells called osteoclasts which causes bone breakdown & promoting bone cells called osteoblasts which lays down new bone.
- Blood flow: By widening blood vessels, estrogen prevents formation of plaque in blood vessel walls. This is one of the reasons why incidence of cardiovascular diseases is less profound in women as compared to men.
- Glucose & fat metabolism: Estrogen influences the storage, breakdown & use of glucose & fats for energy. It does this by stimulating production of insulin in pancreas & increasing sensitivity of tissues to insulin.
Estrogen production in women
The majority of estrogen is produced by ovarian follicles in the ovaries in pre-menopausal women. Once produced, vast majority of circulating estrogen is bound to carrier proteins including SHBG-Sex hormone binding globulin, rendering it inactive. Once free, Estrogen exerts its effect on the body.
A smaller amount is also produced by peripheral tissues outside of ovaries, including breast tissues, fast tissues, bone, skin & blood vessels. Peripherals tissues cover androgens, including testosterone into estrogen using an enzyme aromatase. Estrogen production by peripheral tissue is much more significant in post-menopausal women as estrogen.
Estrogen production in men
Men produce all their estrogen in peripheral tissue. In contrast to rapid rise in estrogen in women during adolescence, make estrogen level rise gradually & remains stable for reminder of adulthood.
Estrogen influences lot of biological processes which are impacted when estrogen production is low:
- Poor insulin sensitivity which results in elevated blood sugar levels. Long term elevated blood sugar levels can cause damage to blood vessels & increase risk of type 2 diabetes & other cardiovascular diseases.
- Low bone density: Low level of estrogen can lead to osteoporosis.
- Increases fat deposition which mainly happens through increase in visceral fat.
- Poor blood flow & increase in plaque in blood vessels which can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Excessive high estrogen production have ill-effects which includes:
In pre-menopausal women, high level of circulatory estrogen leads to:
- Weight gain
- Mood swings
- Irregular menstrual cycle
In men, high level of estrogen production is related to :
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Enlargement of blood tissue
Level of Estrogen is deeply influenced by a combination of genetic & lifestyle factors which includes:
- Genes: CYP19 A1~ this gene encodes aromatase enzymes that convert androgens into estrogens. Variants of this gene impacts estrogen production.
- Genes: CYP17 A1~ this gene encodes an enzyme which converts weak estrogen (E1) into more potent E2( Estradiol). Variants of this gene would impact how estradiol is produced.
- Lifestyle: Factors such as age & body composition also impact estrogen production
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