Known as the ‘female hormone’ oestrogen is actually made from male hormones, and men produce it too in small amounts. There is not one single hormone called oestrogen, our bodies produce three different types — oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol.
Oestradiol is the strongest oestrogen and is produced by the ovaries, it is dominant from puberty through to the menopause. Oestriol is the main oestrogen during pregnancy and at the Menopause Oestrone is produced not by the ovaries, but by the adrenal glands, more about that below.
As well as helping develop our sexual characteristics at puberty, oestrogen helps to thicken the womb lining ready for pregnancy, increases vaginal lubrication by producing cervical mucus, increases bone formation and aids bone density. Oestrogen also helps maintain our cholesterol levels and plays a big part in lifting our mood.
In the absence of regular ovulation oestrogen levels begin to fall and as that happens we start to experience some of the symptoms of the perimenopause; vaginal dryness, weakening of the bladder, hot flushes, night sweats, poor memory and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Our skin starts to change as less collagen and elastin are produced by the dip in oestrogen production which also affects the blood flow to our genitals impacting our libido.
