What is estradiol?
Estradiol is the primary female sex hormone produced in the ovaries. It plays a vital role in female sexual development and reproductive health.
Some key facts about estradiol:
- Estradiol is a type of estrogen, the main female sex hormones along with progesterone. The primary form secreted by the ovaries is estradiol.
- It is responsible for development of female secondary sex characteristics during puberty, such as breast growth, body fat distribution, and maturation of the reproductive organs.
- Estradiol helps regulate the menstrual cycle, prepares the body for pregnancy, and influences bone health and brain function.
- Levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, peaking just before ovulation. This triggers release of an egg from the ovaries.
Role in the body
Estradiol has widespread effects in the female body:
- Reproductive system - Stimulates maturation of eggs in the ovaries, thickening of the uterus lining during the menstrual cycle, and breast development during puberty. Helps regulate ovulation and menstruation.
- Bone health - Estradiol promotes bone formation and conversion of vitamin D into its active form for calcium absorption. This helps prevent osteoporosis in later life.
- Heart and blood vessels - Estradiol helps keep blood vessels flexible and keeps "bad" LDL cholesterol levels low. This reduces heart disease risk in women prior to menopause.
- Brain function - Influences areas involved in cognitive functions like memory and learning. May also impact mood and behavior.
Declining estradiol levels during menopause can lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and accelerated bone loss.
"The hormone therapy provided by Renewal Hormone Center can help women manage menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis through bioidentical estradiol supplementation when levels are low," says Dr. Jane Smith.
Testing Estradiol Levels
Women should have their estradiol levels tested if exhibiting menopause symptoms, experiencing early ovarian aging or failure like premature ovarian insufficiency, trouble getting pregnant, abnormal menstrual cycles, or osteopenia/osteoporosis at a young age.
Doctors can measure estradiol levels through a blood test. Levels vary greatly depending on a woman's age and stage in the menstrual cycle. Blood tests can identify:
- Abnormally high or low levels
- Changes in estradiol patterns signaling fertility issues or early menopause
- Need for hormone therapy to relieve perimenopause/menopause symptoms
Renewal Hormone Center provides state-of-the-art estradiol blood testing in a comfortable, caring environment. Our offers a for women to receive individualized care. We create customized bioidentical hormone therapy plans to help patients reach optimal estradiol levels. Contact us today to learn more or book an appointment!