What is Estrogen and Why Does it Matter?
The human body contain a variety of tiny components that are always working behind the scenes to make sure that your life can happen. These amazing systems work without you having to concentrate on what is happening, and they govern a large portion of what happens in the body. Some of the most misunderstood parts of the human body are the chemicals that influence sex, reproduction, and emotional responses. In the following article, there will be a short discussion on the hormone estrogen, and why it’s important.
What are hormones?
The simplest way to discuss hormones would be to liken them to a sort of telephone system that keeps your body up to date with information. These chemicals are made in specific organs in your body, and will be sent to other parts of you during specific times.
Estrogen is a female sex hormone, and the majority of it is created in your ovaries.
Estrogen controls important processes in the body such as the menstrual cycle. It can also influence your weight and specific of other body tissues.
Estrogen’s Job Changes During Your Life
One of the most interesting things about estrogen, is how much it’s job changes through your life. When you are young and beginning to become and adult, a period of time called puberty, estrogen send signals to cause different parts of your body mature such as the breasts. As you reach complete adulthood, estrogen also activates the growth of adult characteristics like pubic and armpit hair. Estrogen also keeps your body from continuing to ovulate when you become pregnant.
As Estrogen Levels Rise, So Does Cancer Risk
After a few decades of study, it has been a sad reality that higher levels of estrogen are linked to occurrences of cancer. These high levels are most common in the very people who are most susceptible to breast cancer, women who are approaching or going through menopause. These levels are often achieved through drugs which are intended
to soften the effects of menopause.
It should also be noted that women who are overweight are at a greater risk because fat cells also produce estrogen.
How Can You Control Estrogen Levels?
Some of what dictates your outcome has to do with genetics, but for now, science has discovered a few forms of hormone therapy. These drugs can help to lower your estrogen, and thus lower your chances of getting cancer. Another great way to control your estrogen is to keep your weight under control to prevent the excess creation of estrogen.