What are estrogens and why are they needed?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Female hormones affect not only the reproductive system. Without them, the normal operation of most organs is impossible.

What are estrogens

Estrogens Pharmacological and clinical aspects of menopausal hormone therapy are a group of sex hormones. In women, they are synthesized mainly in the ovaries, and in men, in a much smaller volume in the testes. A small amount of estrogen is produced in the placenta in pregnant women, in the adrenal glands, adipose tissue, and liver.

According to the chemical structure, synthesis and function of female sex hormones, estrogens belong to the class of steroids - this means that they are based on a cholesterol molecule. From it, under the influence of the luteinizing hormone of the pituitary gland, a small gland in the brain, androgens are formed - male hormones. And then a follicle-stimulating hormone is included in the reaction, which helps the latter to turn into estrogens.

What are estrogens?

Scientists distinguish three main types of estrogens. Pharmacological and clinical aspects of menopausal hormone therapy. Hormones have different biological activities, their concentration changes depending on the period of a woman's life. Here they are:

• Estradiol is the most active estrogen found in women from puberty to menopause.
• Estrone - 12 times less active than estradiol, is produced in insignificant quantities during life, but the synthesis increases sharply after the development of menopause.
• Estriol - its bioactivity is 80 times less than that of estradiol. Estriol appears as a result of metabolism in the liver of two previous estrogens, and during pregnancy is synthesized in the placenta.

In men, you can also find these types of estrogens, the main of which is estradiol. Doctors do not take into account the other two types, since their concentration is insignificant.

Why do women need estrogens?

Estrogen receptors are found in almost all tissues, therefore these hormones affect metabolism and physiological processes in most organs. But the functions of sex steroids are most noticeable in the following systems.

Reproductive organs and mammary glands

The main area of estrogen exposure is the genitals:

• Uterus. Hormones enhance the pathophysiological characteristics of menstrual irregularities, blood flow in the wall of the organ and are responsible for cyclical changes: they stimulate cell division of the mucous membrane (endometrium) and the formation of spiral vessels in it. During pregnancy, estrogens are needed for the active growth of the uterus.
• Cervical canal. Hormones regulate the work of the glands, which secrete mucus necessary for sperm to enter the uterus. By the middle of the menstrual cycle, estradiol in the blood becomes more, so the amount of mucus also increases, and the cervical canal opens slightly.
• Vagina. Estrogens Morpho-functional features of vaginal epithelial cells in women and the role of normal microflora in the formation of microbiocenosis and colonization resistance of the vagina (overview) increase blood flow and help mucous membrane cells to accumulate glycogen grains. This is necessary to maintain the normal composition of the microflora and protect against infections.
• Appendages Pathophysiological characteristics of menstrual irregularities. Sex hormones cause rhythmic contractions of the fallopian tubes, which are necessary for the movement of sperm. Together with the follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol promotes the maturation of follicles in the ovaries.

In dairy Separate physiological aspects of the influence of hormones on the processes in the mammary glands estradiol enhances the division of cells that form ducts, as well as the accumulation of Pathophysiological characteristics of disorders of the menstrual cycle of lipids in fat cells.

Nervous system

Scientists believe that the effect of estrogens on the central nervous system is that estrogens determine the behavior patterns characteristic of women, and also affect many functions of the central nervous system. Hormones Sex hormones and the central nervous system increase the speed of speaking, improve coordination of movements, and prevent the development of depression.

The effect of estrogens on the central nervous system is known, that due to the presence of estradiol, brain cells are protected from destruction, and electrical impulses are generated faster. Therefore, women have better developed memory than men.

Estrogens maintain good blood flow in the brain by dilating blood vessels. Also, female hormones can prevent the effect of estrogens on the central nervous system from accumulating in the nervous system a dangerous protein - amyloid, which is one of the reasons for the development of Alzheimer's disease.

The cardiovascular system

Scientists have discovered Mechanisms underlying the influence of estrogen on cardiovascular physiology in women, that there are a lot of estrogen receptors in the vessels of women. Therefore, thanks to the influence of estradiol, the arteries are protected from inflammation, and the cell membranes from oxidation. Also, the hormone expands the lumen of blood vessels and regulates their tone so that organs and tissues receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.

Estrogens improve the condition of the cardiovascular system not only directly, but also indirectly. Studies confirm Cholesterol and atherosclerosis: modulation by estrogen that hormones are able to regulate cholesterol metabolism: they increase the level of "good" lipoproteins and reduce the production of "bad" ones. This helps protect the arteries from atherosclerosis.

Skeletal system

Estradiol regulates the Effect of estrogens on bone and other systems and hormonal substitute treatment, the process of building bone tissue. The hormone activates special substances - growth factors, interleukins, which help osteoblast cells to accumulate. Pathophysiological characteristics of menstrual irregularities calcium and phosphates. So the bone tissue is strengthened, and its resorption is inhibited and the development of osteoporosis is prevented. Osteoporosis.

Skin covering

Many estradiol receptors have been found Estrogen Effects on Wound Healing in the skin, and some of its cells are capable of synthesizing small amounts of the hormone themselves. Scientists believe that it activates the synthesis of collagen and elastin proteins, which are necessary to maintain the elasticity and tone of the epidermis. In addition, estrogens help wounds heal faster by affecting the following Estrogen Effects on Wound Healing processes:

• regulate the inflammatory response in the area of injury;
• accelerate the division of epithelial cells;
• stimulate the formation of granulations - growths of connective tissue in the wound;
• maintain a balance between the destruction of damaged collagen and the synthesis of new ones.

Immunity

Estrogens are able to stimulate the immune system in women at different periods of the menstrual cycle, which is why it is more active in women than in men. Hormones activate a special type of white blood cell - T-helpers, which are needed for the process of maturation of B-lymphocytes. This type of immune cell is responsible for the synthesis of all antibodies in the body and protection against infections that penetrate the mucous membranes.

Why do men need estrogens?

Although men have significantly less estrogens than women, hormones have a profound effect on various areas of health. The role of estrogens in the male body. Part 2. Private clinical endocrinology and pathophysiology of estrogens in men.

Adequate bone mineral density is maintained through the effects of estradiol. It is the female hormone that regulates the retention of calcium and phosphorus salts in bone cells.

At normal concentrations, estrogens are needed to maintain reproductive function. There are receptors for estradiol in the testes, the vas deferens, and on the sperm membrane. It is considered Oestrogens and spermatogenesis that, thanks to this hormone, male germ cells retain high mobility.

But estrogens in men work together. The role of estrogens in the male body. Part 2. Private clinical endocrinology and pathophysiology of estrogens in men with androgens and balance the effects of each other. Studies show that with a decrease in sex drive and potency, it is not enough to normalize testosterone levels. It is necessary to simultaneously administer estrogens. It has also been shown that estradiol normally modulates androgen receptors in the prostate gland and helps maintain prostate health.

What happens to the body with a lack or excess of estrogen

Estrogens are undoubtedly very important in terms of health.

If a woman lacks them, symptoms appear. Menopause: a normal state or pathology that cannot be missed. It:

• failure of the menstrual cycle - rare or short menstruation;
• inability to get pregnant;
• dryness and itching in the vagina;
• decrease in the size of the mammary glands;
• urinary incontinence;
• impairment of memory, attention;
• apathy and tendency to depression;
• hot flashes;
• dry skin, wrinkles, hair loss;
• frequent colds;
• bone pain.

If estradiol becomes more than necessary, then the possibility of hormone therapy in the reproductive period of uterine bleeding develops or the woman also cannot become pregnant.

In men, the lack of estrogen is not so noticeable, because testosterone is the main hormone for them. But the concentration of both types of steroids decreases at the same time, because androgens are the precursors of estradiol. Therefore, testosterone replacement therapy may be noted in men for male hypogonadism. Modern approaches to the treatment of potency problems or decreased libido. Similar symptoms will occur if there is an excess of estrogen in the body.

If you notice the above symptoms in yourself, you should consult a doctor and, possibly, be examined. Women need to make an appointment with a gynecologist, and men - with a urologist.