What is Estradiol (E2)?
Hormones are chemicals produced by the body that convey instructions on how to direct various functions. Various specialized glands in the body receive electrical stimulation from the brain, producing and releasing these chemicals into the bloodstream. Estrogen, one of these hormones, can be produced in the body in three different forms. You can follow the rest of the article to find out more about estradiol, one of these forms of estrogen.
What is Estradiol?
Estradiol is the most abundant form of estrogen in women of reproductive age. The term reproductive age covers the period from a person’s first menstrual cycle to the last. During this period, when compared in terms of levels in the bloodstream, estradiol is found at higher levels than the other two forms of estrogen. Another advantage of estradiol over other forms of estrogen is that it is the most effective form of estrogen.
Estradiol is a hormone synthesized mainly from the ovaries. How much of this hormone is synthesized varies depending on which part of the menstrual cycle the person is in.
What is Estradiol Hormone, How is it produced and What are its effects?
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. Estrogen, one of these chemicals that control the functions of cells and organs, is produced in the ovaries using cholesterol. In the presence of estrogen hormone, signs of puberty begin to appear and the development of various changes in the body of female individuals is triggered. This hormone is also responsible for the regular occurrence of the menstrual cycle. Other properties of the estrogen hormone include supporting mental and bone health, controlling cholesterol levels, and protecting against heart diseases. Three types of estrogen hormones are produced in the body. Estradiol, one of these chemicals called estrone (E1), estriol (E3) and estradiol (E2) hormones, is the form of estrogen that is active in the period from puberty to menopause. Estradiol, which is also the most powerful hormone among them, provides control of the menstrual cycle.
How Much Should Estradiol Be?
Estradiol test is used to answer the question of how much estradiol should be. In the estradiol test, the level of the hormone of the same name in the blood circulation is examined. In this examination, also called the E2 test, the amount of this hormone, which is a form of estrogen and secreted by the ovaries, breast and adrenal glands, can be determined. Just like female individuals, male individuals also have some amount of estradiol hormone. However, this level is much lower than the value in women.
In cases such as pregnancy and infertility treatment, it may be necessary to examine the estradiol level. For female individuals of reproductive age, the range of 15-350 picograms per milliliter constitutes the normal value range for this hormone. In individuals in the menopausal phase, the level of this hormone is expected to be lower than 10 picograms per milliliter of blood as a result of the estradiol test. Different Estradiol values can be measured in the same person during the menstrual cycle and this is a normal finding.
How Much Estradiol Should Be in IVF Treatment?
In vitro fertilization, defined as in vitro fertilization, is an assisted reproductive technique applied to fulfill individuals’ desire for a child. During the application of this technique, egg cells are collected from the ovaries by expert healthcare personnel. Afterwards, the egg cells are fertilized with sperm, which is the male reproductive cell. Following this process, the fertilized egg cell is placed in the uterus of the expectant mother after 5-6 days. It is a known fact that estrogen levels change depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. At the same time, due to various treatments applied during in vitro fertilization treatment, problems such as a decrease in the level of estrogen hormone and insufficiency in the development of the uterine tissue to which the embryo will be transferred may be encountered. For this reason, various studies recommend examining the estradiol level of the expectant mother before in vitro fertilization treatment and preparing the tissue for the uterus with hormone support in order to prepare the intrauterine tissues for this process, and transfer after the hormone reaches the desired level.
Estradiol (E2) hormone, which is a steroid (fat) hormone, is produced by the granulosa cells in the egg follicle that continues its development and is released into the bloodstream. Ovarian reserve tests are usually used to detect the level of this hormone. The level of estradiol hormone varies depending on the reproductive age of the individual. Although it is a simple, cheap and effective screening method, estradiol hormone alone does not provide sufficient data regarding the outcome of in vitro fertilization treatment. However, as a result of various studies, it is known that the susceptibility to negative consequences increases in both very high and very low estradiol hormone levels.
What Can Low Estradiol Cause?
It is normal for female individuals to have low estrogen hormone levels in situations such as not having entered puberty or entering menopause. However, a decrease in estrogen level is a condition that can occur at any period of life. Conditions considered to be associated with low estradiol levels can be summarized as follows:
- menopause
- Turner syndrome, a genetic disorder transmitted through the X chromosome
- Loss of function of the ovaries before the age of 40, called ovarian failure or early menopause
- Conditions that disrupt estrogen synthesis, such as the body’s lack of sufficient fat supply
- Problems caused by the pituitary gland, such as hypopitutiarism
- Hypogonadism, which indicates that there is not enough hormone production from the ovaries
Complaints that may occur due to low estrogen hormone are generally as follows:
- Feeling pain during sexual intercourse due to decreased vaginal secretions
- Increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections due to urethral thinning
- Irregular menstruation
- amenorrhea
- hot flashes
- emotional fluctuations
- Tenderness in breasts
- Shrinking in breasts
- Headache
- Depression
- difficulty concentrating
- Weakness
With the decrease in estrogen levels, bone weakness may occur and an increase in susceptibility to fractures may occur. This condition, caused by a decrease in bone density, is due to the fact that estrogen has the ability to increase bone density by working together with calcium, vitamin D and various other vitamins. It is useful to consult a physician when symptoms related to low estrogen are observed.
What Can High Estradiol Cause?
Although increased estrogen levels can occur naturally, it can sometimes occur due to the use of various medications. For example, various medications administered within the scope of hormone replacement therapy to control menopausal complaints may trigger estrogen levels to reach problematic levels. Along with high estrogen levels, changes in various other hormone levels may also occur, deepening the hormonal imbalance. The fact that estrogen hormone levels are quite high compared to progesterone hormone levels may be a sign of the development of a condition called estrogen dominance.
Care should be taken as a higher than normal estradiol level may indicate the presence of various conditions in the individual. Some of these situations are as follows:
- Early puberty entry
- Presence of tumor in the ovary or testicles
- Feminine breast tissue development in men, called gynecomastia
- hyperthyroidism
- Cirrhosis
Possible symptoms that may occur with high estrogen levels can be summarized as follows:
- Swelling
- Edema and tenderness in the breasts
- Development of fibrocystic lump in breast tissue and increased risk of breast cancer in the long term
- Change in sexual desire
- Menstrual irregularity, breakthrough bleeding and increase in menstrual volume
- Increase in premenstrual syndrome complaints
- mood swings
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Panic attack
- unintentional weight gain
- hair loss
- Coldness in hands and feet
- Problems with sleep patterns
- Weakness
- Memory problems Estradiol hormone is the highest and most effective form of estrogen.
Estradiol hormone is the highest and most effective form of estrogen. If you observe signs and symptoms related to this hormone level, it is recommended that you contact health institutions and get support from specialist physicians.
