We Know: All About Estrogen What is estrogen? Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for regulating secondary sex characteristics, or those attributes associated with the female sex that are not present at birth, such as the development of breasts and the occurrence of a menstrual cycle. The primary source of estrogen in the body is the follicles in the ovaries, but it is also produced in other areas such as the liver, adrenal glands and the placenta. What are medications containing estrogen used for? Medications containing estrogen or synthetic versions of estrogen are used to treat the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and insomnia. It is also used in regulating the body in treating breast cancer in post-menopausal women and in treating breast and prostate cancer in men. Likewise, estrogen is also often prescribed along with a healthy diet and calcium supplements to slow the progression of osteoporosis. What side effects are associated with taking estrogen? Taking estrogen can cause a variety of side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, acne, edema, spotting, missed periods, dry eyes and engorged breasts. What are the risks associated with estrogen supplementation? Many estrogen therapies have been known to increase a woman's risk of developing endometrial, breast and cervical cancer, gallbladder disease, blood clots, stroke, high blood pressure and liver tumors.
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