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In this term paper we will discuss about the jobs of estrogen hormones and how they affect women.
Estrogen is most often associated with women, the truth is that women’s bodies also produce testosterone and progesterone. The ovaries are the primary producer of these hormones for women. While they are fairly inactive during childhood and infancy, these glands kick into gear during fetal development and puberty. Once puberty is complete, women will settle into a cycle of ovulation, which also assists in regulating the production and secreting of these specific hormones.
Men also have the hormone estrogen, but again, these levels are much smaller than what would be found in a woman. Men have larger amounts of testosterone than women, although women also receive doses of it throughout their lives. These hormones play specific roles for both women and men beyond what they are typically associated with.
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Hormones are produced in cycles, which mean that there are periods when these hormones are lower than others. Estrogen’s primary job include building up the uterine lining for potential pregnancies, stimulates the building of breast tissue during puberty and also thickens the vagina wall. This hormone has also been associated with good bone and heart health throughout a woman’s life. However, estrogen production in older women has been associated with increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Progesterone works with estrogen to assist in the implanting of a fertilized egg in the uterine lining. In addition, this hormone also has effects on tissues that might also be sensitive to estrogen throughout the body. Finally, testosterone in women plays a role in increasing their sex drive, generating energy and the development of a woman’s muscle mass. Men find that testosterone contributes to their sex drive and increasing muscle mass.
Menopause is a complete altering of the way that these hormones interact with the body. For most women, menopause means that the ovaries go into retirement. They are no longer producing eggs, so they also stop producing most of their hormones. While it does not happen all at once, the body does begin the process as early as a woman’s thirties.
When estrogen production ceases altogether, then women find themselves dealing with various health issues, such as hot flashes, lost muscle tone and even changes in a woman’s sleep cycles. Therefore, women might find themselves having to make the decision to replace that lost hormone or to simply treat the symptoms that result from the loss with various prescriptions or natural methods.
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A woman can choose to do a hormone replacement therapy to reduce these health concerns and minimize symptoms, but for those women who have a history of breast, ovarian or cervical cancer should discuss any potential hormone replacement therapy with their doctor. After all, it might not be as effective an option for those with high cancer risk. Most women find that menopause brings a whole new set of challenges in terms of their health, because they must weigh multiple pros and cons to all types of treatments.
Hormones have a powerful role in the internal workings of the body. When they are functioning correctly, we can feel our best physically. Yet when they have been altered or disrupted in any way, there are consequences in terms of our health and overall well-being. Thus, we might find ourselves needing to visit a doctor or use supplements to allow our body to reach homeostasis.
