Estrogen is a hormone that serves several functions within the body. It aids in the maturation of the female reproductive system and the maintenance of feminine traits, including breast size and pubic hair. Brain health, bone health, heart health, and other vital biological systems all benefit from estrogen. This hormone exists in both males and females, although women produce far more of it than men do.

Estrogen is an essential sex hormone for maintaining sexual and reproductive health. Estrogen levels rise and fall with each menstrual cycle. It peaks around puberty and then gradually diminishes after menopause. Increased or decreased estrogen levels over time may indicate a medical problem that needs to be addressed by your doctor.

The hormones and the tissues (mostly glands) that make and release them make up your endocrine system. A wide variety of physiological functions are controlled by hormones. Some of the functions that gets affected are -

• Metabolism.
• Homeostasis (constant internal balance)
• Growth and maturation.
• Sexual activity
• Reproduction.
• Sleep Cycle.
• Mood.

What are the different kinds of estrogen?

There are three primary types of estrogen:

1. Estrone - After menopause, your body switches to producing estrone (E1) instead of estriol.
2. Estradiol - During your reproductive years, your body produces mostly estradiol (E2). There is no more powerful Estrogen than this.
3. Estriol - It is during pregnancy that estriol (E3) predominates.

The Role of Estrogen

The following bodily systems rely on estrogen for proper operation:

• For the ovaries, estrogen is crucial in promoting egg follicle development.
• Specifically, estrogen helps keep the vaginal membrane thick and lubricated.
• The mucous membrane that borders the uterus is strengthened and preserved by estrogen. It also controls the quantity and consistency of uterine mucus.
• For the purpose of breast development, the body produces breast tissue with the help of estrogen. 

What is a healthy level of estrogen?

Hormones, like estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline, and insulin, are important chemical messengers that affect many functions in the body. It is therefore important to understand how to achieve hormonal balance.

A woman's estrogen levels fluctuate throughout her life.  The changes are typical. As an example, estrogen levels rise during puberty and then go down again during menopause. Estrogen levels naturally rise during ovulation to help the body get ready for pregnancy. During your period, when the pregnancy adjustments are no longer required, it is natural for levels to drop.

Common hormonal imbalance symptoms

Any of the following symptoms might be brought on by one of several typical hormonal conditions:

• Gaining weight
• Loss of weight
• Weakened muscles
• Fatigue
• Aches, soreness, or stiffness in the muscles
• Higher or lower heart rate
• Sweating
• Sensitivity to heat or cold is increased, 
• Frequent Urination
• Increased hunger and thirst
• Reduced sex desire
• Depression
• Blurred vision
• Dry skin
• Round or puffy face

A hormonal imbalance may not always be present, even if one or more of these symptoms are present.

How can you keep the estrogen levels normal?

It is not always possible to avoid conditions caused by hormonal abnormalities. You can, however, take steps to improve your overall health.

Make sure you're getting enough sleep. Getting a good night's sleep, without interruptions, every night is essential to keeping your hormone levels at a healthy level.

High stress has been linked to the body making too much of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. A drop in estrogen levels and other bad health effects have been linked to having a lot of stress hormones in your body.

Consistent physical activity can aid in controlling both food intake and overall fat storage. It may also aid in restful sleep.

Drinking might increase your body's production of estrogen. Cancer risk may increase with prolonged exposure to estrogen.

Maintain a healthy hormonal balance by paying attention to what you eat. Eating less sugary meals and more fiber- and healthy fat-rich foods (such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fish) can aid with hormone balance.

To Sum Up

Your mental, physical, and emotional well-being are all influenced by hormones. They are chemical signals sent by the body to different organs and tissues. The body's growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, mood, and more are all influenced by hormones. Most of the time, the body will make the exact amount of each hormone it needs for different functions to stay healthy. Hormones send incredibly strong impulses. Even a small amount of too much or too little of several hormones can cause big changes in the body and lead to diseases that need treatment.

Changes in hormone levels can be either short- or long-term. Not all hormone imbalances have the same effect on health, but even those that don't necessarily need to be treated can have a negative effect on quality of life. Hormones influence almost every aspect of your body's functioning. When they are healthy, your body can perform at its best, and you may enjoy a state of well-being. You can keep your hormone levels stable without taking medicine if you go to your doctor's appointments and do healthy things.