Estrogen is a hormone that is vital to the reproductive health of women. It stimulates development and growth in the breasts, uterus and ovaries. Estrogen works with progesterone to regulate a woman's menstrual cycle and prepare the body for pregnancy. It also plays an important role in the body's ability to absorb and utilize calcium.
Weight Loss
Women and adolescent girls that suffer from eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, can have lower than normal estrogen levels. Estrone is a form of estrogen that is produced by fat cells in the body. When a person with an eating disorder depletes her fat stores, the body does not produce enough estrone. This can lead to the cessation of her menstrual cycle.
The same is true for female athletes. For example, gymnasts who are constantly in training do not allow stores of fat to build up in their bodies. Depending on how early training begins, this can cause a delay in the growth of the feminine reproductive organs. There may also be a delay in when the gymnast begins to menstruate. If menstruation has already started, it may gradually slow down or stop all together.
Cancers or Other Illnesses
Ovarian cancer and other illnesses that affect the thyroid and pituitary gland may also affect the levels of estrogen in the body. When organs are damaged by drugs or injuries, they may become sluggish or stop working completely. Ovarian cysts and uterine cancer are two health issues that have a direct impact on the reproductive system in women.
Medications
Estrogen is also affected by medications. Treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can have an adverse affect on hormone levels throughout the body. They can slow down the production of hormones and other substances in the body. They can also limit the effectiveness of the hormones that are produced. When chemotherapy or other treatments are used in close proximity to the ovaries or other estrogen producers, they will have a direct impact on the estrogen levels themselves.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Menopause
- Dr. Spock: Hormonal Causes of Absent Periods
- "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom"; C. Northrup; 2010
