Estrogen

Estrogens are a family of related molecules that stimulate the development and maintenance of female characteristics and sexual reproduction.

What is Estrogen?

Estrogens (also called Oestrogens) are steroid compounds that are important for development and functioning of females of the species. They are named so because they play an important role in the estrous cycle. Their name comes from estrus/oistros (period of fertility for female mammals) + gen/gonos = to generate.

Estradiol and Estrogen Levels

Estrogen in Medicine

Estrogen in Cosmetics

Estrogen Types

The Role of Estrogen in Men’s Health

Estrogen Function

Latest Estrogen News and Research

Female-specific mechanism enhances heat production in brown fat

Higher activity of PGC-1α enables brown fat cells in females to thermogenic activity and energy expenditure compared to males, reveals a study conducted in Japan.

12 Sep 2025

Common wearable devices could remotely monitor pregnancy-related health changes

A simple fitness tracker might hold the key to revolutionizing maternal healthcare. Scientists at Scripps Research have found preliminary evidence suggesting that common wearable devices such as the Apple Watch, Garmin and Fitbit could remotely monitor pregnancy-related health changes by tracking physiological patterns-like heart rate-that correlate with hormonal fluctuations.

11 Sep 2025

Elinzanetant reduces hot flashes in menopause

The OASIS-3 trial demonstrates elinzanetant's effectiveness in alleviating menopausal symptoms, reducing hot flashes significantly over a year-long study.

11 Sep 2025

Study highlights menopause-related vocal changes in women

A new University of South Florida study published in Menopause highlights a largely overlooked health issue: voice changes that many women experience during menopause, often triggered by falling levels of estrogen and progesterone.

10 Sep 2025

Survey shows ongoing misconceptions about hormone therapy safety in cancer survivors

Despite evidence suggesting the safety of hormone therapy for patients with a history of low-grade endometrial or epithelial ovarian cancer, a new survey shows that many gynecologists and some gynecologic oncologists are still uncomfortable prescribing the therapy for this patient population.

10 Sep 2025

New hydrogel may help alleviate negative impacts of menopause

A new hydrogel applied directly to vaginal tissues may help alleviate the negative impacts of menopause, according to a new study from scientists at the University of California San Diego.

8 Sep 2025

Estrogen supports kidney regeneration and protects women from chronic disease

A new study in mice provides insights into why females in their reproductive years appear to be relatively protected from chronic kidney disease, a leading public health concern.

4 Sep 2025

Sugar-coated nanoparticles offer new hope for treating triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer is particularly aggressive and difficult to treat; but recent research may offer a new way to target the often-deadly disease.

3 Sep 2025

Study links hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy to higher stroke risk

Given the seriousness and increased frequency of strokes, many studies have been conducted to assess the relationship between hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy and the risk of stroke with varying results.

3 Sep 2025

Research reveals molecular details of ME/CFS and long COVID

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) have heightened innate immune responses to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While these responses are essential to fight infection, they can cause damage when unchecked.

1 Sep 2025

Male and female bovine embryos show distinct development paths

Cornell researchers have uncovered the genetic triggers that cause male and female bovine embryos to develop differently, as early as seven to eight days after fertilization.

29 Aug 2025

Study brings hope for a more personalized approach to treat ER+ breast cancer

A new study from researchers at Baylor College of Medicine brings hope for a more personalized approach to treat estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, the most common type of this cancer.

28 Aug 2025

Researchers identify molecular mechanism behind tamoxifen-related uterine cancer

In a preclinical study, researchers found tamoxifen encourages uterine cell growth; the findings could change how some breast cancers are treated in the future.

22 Aug 2025

Postmenopausal women with stroke history can safely use vaginal estrogen

Using vaginal estrogen tablets was not associated with an increased risk of recurrent ischemic stroke among postmenopausal women in a registry in Denmark, according to research published today in Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

21 Aug 2025

COVID-19 ages arteries prematurely with women most affected

COVID-19 may leave arteries biologically “older,” with women showing more persistent stiffness and symptom links than men. Findings from the large CARTESIAN cohort suggest this vascular aging effect is partly reversible over time.

19 Aug 2025

Inactivation of stress pathway allows ER+ breast cancer cells to evade treatment

A team of scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has discovered that inactivation of a stress pathway makes ER+ breast cancer cells ignore stress signals, allowing them to evade treatment.

18 Aug 2025

GIPR signaling opens brain’s gate for GLP-1 weight-loss therapy

A Cell Metabolism study reveals that GIPR signaling in oligodendrocytes enhances brain access and weight-loss efficacy of GLP-1R agonists by increasing vascular permeability and targeting appetite-regulating neurons. This mechanism may explain why GIPR/GLP-1R co-agonists outperform single-agent therapies.

14 Aug 2025

New compound shows promise against aromatase inhibitor-resistant breast cancer

A new research paper was published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on July 29, 2025, titled "PCAIs stimulate MAPK, PI3K/AKT pathways and ROS-Mediated apoptosis in aromatase inhibitor-resistant breast cancer cells while disrupting actin filaments and focal adhesion."

13 Aug 2025

Understanding sex-based differences in immune system function

Many diseases affect men and women differently. Asthma tends to strike men earlier in life, yet more women develop asthma as they get older.

7 Aug 2025

Gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids influence bone health in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is framed as a systemic bone disease driven by estrogen withdrawal, but emerging evidence positions gut dysbiosis and its fermentation products—short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—as equally influential regulators of skeletal fate.

6 Aug 2025