Estrogen is a group of hormones that are essential to sexual and reproductive systems in females. These hormones, however, have other positive effects such as helping the body to retain fluids and salts, and helping to prevent certain diseases. Negative effects of estrogen can occur when the body contains too little or too much. Examples of these include increased weight gain, increased chances of heart disease, and increased chances of breast cancer.
A woman needs estrogen for normal sexual development. These hormones allow the breasts and ovaries to grow. They are responsible for proper development of the vagina and for its lubrication. Estrogen also affects a woman’s libido.
The reproductive effects of estrogen include preparing the breasts for lactation. If a woman did not have estrogen, not only would her breasts not develop properly, but she also would not develop the glands that allow her to produce milk. Without estrogen, a woman’s reproductive system would not develop in a manner that allows her to successfully become pregnant and carry a child.
Estrogen is not only imperative to sexual and reproductive health, but it is also essential to brain functions. The hormones are responsible for neural growth and repair. They are connected to the proper concentration of chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. Furthermore, estrogen aids in ensuring that the brain receives the proper supply of blood.
The effects of estrogen can become negative when a woman’s body does not produce enough of it. It is believed that low estrogen levels can increase a woman’s chances of developing a number of diseases. One common condition that has been linked to low levels of estrogen is osteoporosis. This is seen in women who are in or who have passed menopause. It is believed that osteoporosis occurs because the lack of sufficient estrogen causes a reduction of bone mass.
A woman’s chances of developing heart disease are also believed to increase when sufficient amounts of estrogen are lacking in her body. This is because estrogen has been found to play a role in controlling cholesterol. Low levels of the hormones appear to contribute to increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which allows plaque to build up in the arteries.
The effects of estrogen can also become negative when there is too much of these hormones in the body. Such a situation is believed to greatly increase a woman’s chances of both endometrial cancer and breast cancer. Additionally, a woman may suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding, migraines, and depression. If the situation is not corrected, there is also the possibility of a woman becoming infertile.