What is estradiol?
Estradiol is the most potent and predominant form of estrogen - the primary female sex hormone - in the human body. It plays a vital role in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.
Some key facts about estradiol:
- Estradiol is produced primarily by the ovaries, as well as by the placenta during pregnancy and, in small amounts, by the adrenal glands and fat cells.
- It stimulates the growth of the uterine lining during the first part of the menstrual cycle, promotes thickening of vaginal tissue, and is involved in maintaining bone density.
- Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle - rising just before ovulation, peaking at ovulation, then declining dramatically during menstruation.
- Abnormally high or low levels of estradiol can lead to issues like infertility, early menopause, osteoporosis, and more.
- Estradiol production declines naturally during perimenopause and reaches very low levels after menopause. This contributes to menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and bone loss.
- Estradiol is available in synthetic forms as a medication - for example, transdermal estradiol patches/gels and oral estradiol tablets used in hormone therapy. This helps supplement estrogen levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
If you're dealing with significant menopausal symptoms or infertility issues related to low estrogen levels, consider booking a consultation with our hormone specialists at Optimal Hormone Health Clinic. We offer cutting-edge estrogen and progesterone testing and personalized bioidentical hormone therapy using FDA-approved hormones identical to those naturally produced by the body. Contact us today to learn more and get started on balancing your hormones for better health!
I hope this overview gives you a good understanding of what the important hormone estradiol is and does! Let me know if you have any other questions.