Oestrogen - the importance and inability to produce
Oestrogen is secreted in particular abundance by the ovaries, during
ovulation. In general, oestrogen is the substance responsible for
providing the woman with her female characteristics. Other functions
would include:
- Responsible for development of female sex organs and secondary
characteristics e.g. bodily hair and breast development, during
puberty.
- Maintains the firmness and glandular function of the breasts,
following puberty.
- Promoting and controlling the growth of the endometrium (lining of
the uterus).
- Maintaining the muscles of the uterus and those ligaments which
support it.
- Ensures that an adequate amount of lactic acid is produced, to keep
the lubricating fluid of the vagina sufficiently acid, thus
preventing bacterial infection.
- Causes the moving of the fallopian tube towards the small
fluid-filled formation within the ovary that contains the developing
egg (follicle).
- Responsible for the muscle contractions that 'move' the ovum towards
the uterus.
- Heightens sex-drive at mid-cycle, and also causes the thinning of
the cervical mucus, thus favouring the entrance of sperm.
- Important for skin suppleness and elasticity.
- Counteracts the masculinizing effects of the male hormones present
in women. Thus preventing balding and facial hair growth.
- Stimulates the production of various hormones by the liver,
e.g. Causes an increase in High-density lipoproteins (HDL), thus
protecting the woman against cardiovascular disease.
- Aids in maintaining calcium in the bones.
Moving on.......The inability to produce oestrogen and progesterone
As the ovary is presented with it's total number of eggs at birth,
with no hope of any new eggs forming, it is natural, that after some
35 years of regular menstrual bleeding, the ovary runs out of it's
supply of eggs. Menstruation ceases, pregnancy can no longer occur
and the ovaries drastically curtail their production of oestrogen,
presenting the body with a state of hormonal imbalance. And since
all the hormones combined control the vital processes of the body,
it is no wonder that a shortage in one area will temporarily upset
the whole routine.
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