Estrogen

=__Estrogen__=

__Chemical Formula__ - C20H2402

 * How Estrogen Affects us?**

While estrogens are present in both [|men] and [|women], they are usually present at significantly higher levels in women of reproductive age. They promote the development of female [|secondary sexual characteristics], such as [|breasts] , and are also involved other aspects of regulating the [|menstrual cycle]. In males, estrogen regulates certain functions of the [|reproductive system] important to the maturation of [|sperm] and may be necessary for a healthy libido.

> > **How is Estrogen Produced?** > Estrogen is produced primarily by developing follicles in the ovaries, the corpus luteum and the placenta. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulate the production of estrogen in the ovaries. Some estrogens are also produced in smaller amounts by other tissues such as the liver, adrenal glands and the breasts. These secondary sources of estrogen are especially important in post-menopausal women.
 * promotes formation of female [|secondary sex characteristics]
 * decelerate [|height] growth
 * accelerate [|metabolism] (burn fat)
 * reduces [|muscle] mass
 * stimulate [|endometrial] growth
 * increase [|uterine] growth
 * increase [|vaginal lubrication]
 * thicken the [|vaginal] wall
 * maintenance of vessel and skin[[image:http://www.psice.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/estrogen.jpg width="491" height="556" align="right"]]
 * reduce [|bone resorption], increase bone formation


 * An Interesting Fact about Estrogen**

In recent years it has been found that through waste water removal, estrogen has made its way into our ecosystems. Estrogen is among the wide range of endocrine-disrupting compounds ( [|EDCs] ) due to the fact that they have high estrogenic potency. When this specific EDC makes its way into the environment it can cause severe male reproductive dysfunction to both humans and wildlife. The estrogen excreted from women as well as the estrogen that remains in the waste of birth control pills makes its way into fresh water systems. During the germination period of reproduction the fish are exposed to low levels of estrogen which cause reproductive dysfunction to male fish. Some male fish end up becoming " [|intersex] ," containing both male and female parts. Other fish may only suffer from low fertility or sperm count.

Estrogen Receptor


 * Resources**

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/arthritis-news/images/2008/post-menopause.gif http://www.psice.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/estrogen.jpg http://www.chemindustry.com/chemicals/0172827.html# http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_estrogen_produced Me nopause and madness : the truth about estrogen and the mind / Marcia Lawrence.]]