New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Estrogen

Estrogens (also oestrogens) are a group of steroid compounds, named for their importance in the oestrus cycle, and functioning as the primary female sex hormone. While estrogens are present in both men and women, they are usually present at significantly higher levels in women of reproductive age. They promote the development of female secondary sex characteristics, such as breasts, and are also involved in the thickening of the endometrium and other aspects of regulating the menstrual cycle. Like all steroid hormones, estrogens readily diffuse across the cell membrane; inside the cell, they interact with estrogen receptors. The three major naturally occurring estrogens in women are estradiol, estriol and estrone. Estrogens are used as part of some oral contraceptives and also in estrogen replacement therapy of post-menopausal women.

Related Stories
 


Health & Medicine News

August 1, 2025

Ape behavior just got a name upgrade — “scrumping” — and it might help explain why humans can handle alcohol so well. Researchers discovered that African apes regularly eat overripe, ...
Women who drank heavily, even though they strongly wished to avoid pregnancy, were 50% more likely to become pregnant than those who drank little or not at all, according to new research. Surprisingly, cannabis use didn t show the same ...
In an exciting breakthrough, researchers have identified cancer drugs that might reverse the effects of Alzheimer's disease in the brain. By analyzing gene expression in brain cells, they discovered that some FDA-approved cancer medications could ...
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are transforming weight loss, but a new UVA study warns they're not improving a critical measure of health: cardiorespiratory fitness. While these medications help people shed fat, they also strip away vital muscle mass ...
Stepping into a virtual forest or waterfall scene through VR could be the future of pain management. A new study shows that immersive virtual nature dramatically reduces pain sensitivity almost as ...
Potent statins are the best-proven weapon against heart disease, especially when paired with lifestyle changes. Most people aren’t active enough—and many are underdiagnosed—so starting treatment strong is ...
A newly mapped neural circuit shows how our skin senses cool temperatures and sends that info to the brain, revealing an unexpected amplifier in the spinal cord and offering insight into cold-related ...
A group of Australian scientists has uncovered a new way to fight some of the toughest cancers by targeting an overlooked cellular process called minor splicing. This tiny but vital mechanism turns out to be essential for the growth of certain ...
A new global study reveals a striking post-pandemic surge in gut-brain disorders like IBS and functional dyspepsia. Researchers compared data from 2017 and 2023 and discovered sharp increases—IBS up 28% and dyspepsia nearly 44%. Those suffering ...
Scientists at Kyoto University have developed a groundbreaking "lung-on-a-chip" that can mimic the distinct regions of human lungs—airways and alveoli—to study how viruses like COVID-19 affect them differently. Powered by isogenic induced ...
A global study of over 88,000 adults reveals that poor sleep habits—like going to bed inconsistently or having disrupted circadian rhythms—are tied to dramatically higher risks for dozens of diseases, including liver cirrhosis and gangrene. ...
Scientists at Columbia Engineering have developed an injectable hydrogel made from yogurt-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) that could revolutionize regenerative medicine. These EVs serve both as healing agents and as structural components, ...

Latest Headlines

updated 12:56 pm ET