Introduction
Estrogen is an important hormone for both men and women, though it plays a more important role in females. Estrogen is supplied by primarily the ovaries in women, and in small amounts in the testes of men. Estrogen can also be produced by the breasts, liver and adrenal glands. Estrogen is most known for its role in sexual health, but estrogen also plays a much wider role in areas ranging from the reproductive system to the bones.
Sexual Health
Estrogen is primarily a sexual growth hormone. As such, estrogen influences the health and tissue growth of the vagina, fallopian tubes and the oocytes in the ovaries. Estrogen also plays an important role in sexual maturation and development when facilitating the growth of secondary female sexual characteristics, such as the breasts. Estrogen also plays a part in placenta production during fetal growth as well as the regulation of the endometrium walls. Estrogen also regulates menstruation and, later in life, it plays a role in menopause as its levels decrease.
Bone Health
Estrogen is also an important part of keeping the bones healthy, especially in women. According to the Mayo Clinic, as menopause occurs and estrogen levels decrease, women have a much greater chance of developing bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To combat this, many menopausal women choose to have hormone replacement therapy.
Liver
Estrogen production also affects the liver. With the help of estrogen, the liver is able to produce important proteins, including those used for blood clotting as well as lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are the vessels that carry specific fats throughout your blood stream. Low-density lipoproteins are responsible for carrying fats to the cells that need it. High-density lipoproteins are responsible for removing fat from the bloodstream and sending it back to the liver so that it is unable to calcify into arterial plaque.
Blood Vessels
Estrogen is also important to your cardiovascular system, especially the blood vessels. Estrogen helps improve the flow of blood through your blood vessels. In fact, the Mayo Clinic states that estrogen can help reduce the risks of developing heart disease in women, especially if taken after menopause.
Estrogen in Men
Although not produced in as great quantities as in women, estrogen also is produced and plays an important role for men as well. Produced in small amounts by the Sertoli cells of the testes, estrogen helps with sperm health and maturity. According to the Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, estrogen may also contribute to maintaining a healthy male libido.
