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.

Estrogen in Cosmetics

The Role of Estrogen in Men’s Health

Estradiol and Estrogen Levels

Estrogen Function

Estrogen in Medicine

Estrogen Types

Latest Estrogen News and Research

Two common forever chemicals linked to higher incidence of ER-negative breast cancer

Women with higher blood levels of two common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also familiarly known as PFAS, were more likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative, or ER-negative, breast cancer, according to a new study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

6 Nov 2026

Longer reproductive lifespan and hormonal history may influence brain vascular health

A longer reproductive lifespan and a history of using birth control pills or menopausal hormone therapy were associated with certain signs of blood vessel health in the brain, according to a study published November 4, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

4 Nov 2026

Vanderbilt researchers create massive transcriptomic atlas of breast cancer

A new molecular map of breast cancer has identified novel forms of the disease and provides a foundation for selecting personalized treatments guided by a tumor's molecular characteristics rather than standard pathology alone.

3 Nov 2026

Can pregnancy leave a lasting mark on biological aging?

A review examines how pregnancy spacing affects maternal aging, proposing that insufficient recovery may lead to cumulative biological aging and health risks.

3 Nov 2026

Eating sugary foods more than twice a week was linked to 28% higher breast cancer risk

In a prospective study of 71,264 Korean women followed for an average of 9.2 years, researchers identified 713 breast cancer cases and examined how different dietary sugar sources related to cancer risk. Women consuming high-sugar foods more than twice weekly had a 28% higher breast cancer risk than those consuming them no more than once a month, while total sugar intake and fruit consumption showed no significant association.

2 Nov 2026

Platelet hyperactivity drives glioblastoma progression and deep vein thrombosis

New Cleveland Clinic research published in Cancer Cell shows that people with glioblastoma have more active platelets, which are cells involved in blood clotting. Platelets also communicate with other cells and can influence immune activity. The overactive platelets in people with glioblastoma slow the activity of cancer-fighting T cells, which can contribute to tumor growth and cancer progression.

30 Oct 2026

$3.7 million grant awarded to assess the impact of testosterone on binge eating

A team of clinical scientists from the Michigan State University Department of Psychology and Texas A&M University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences has been awarded a $3.7 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to assess the impact of testosterone on binge eating risk in women.

29 Oct 2026

Smart probe makes aggressive breast cancer cells glow during surgery

Surgical removal of a tumor remains the primary defense against most solid cancers. However, for surgeons in the operating room, differentiating between the outer edges of a tumor and healthy tissue is a challenge.

26 Oct 2026

New report urges unified lifecycle approach to women's heart health

A new approach to women's heart health may offer them a lifetime of opportunities. A trio of scientific papers, published today in the journal Circulation, spells out how fluctuating hormones, mental health and well-being, the heart and the brain are linked and how those connections need to be a routine part of care from a young age.

26 Oct 2026

Women in perimenopause report more anxiety than other menopausal groups

Researchers reviewed 21 studies involving 24,523 women and found that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women had higher odds of reporting anxiety symptoms than premenopausal women. Their meta-analysis of 15 studies found the highest odds during perimenopause, but the cross-sectional evidence cannot establish that menopause causes anxiety.

25 Oct 2026

Dual-targeted therapy shows promise against metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

A new preclinical study suggests that attacking triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in two ways at once can kill cancer cells, slow tumor growth and limit the cancer's spread. Researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) developed the approach.

23 Oct 2026

Biological framework tracks postpartum vulvar tissue recovery timelines

A new biological model published in Sexual Medicine Reviews by Oxford University Press addresses why pain with sex after childbirth-reported by 60% of women at three months-persists for some long after hormones return to normal.

21 Oct 2026

Study explores potential breast cancer benefits of neurokinin receptor antagonists

Neurokinin receptor (NKR) antagonists are already widely used for treating menopausal hot flashes, representing a highly effective nonhormone treatment.

20 Oct 2026

Hormone therapy linked to more frequent and longer-lasting migraines

Migraines are estimated to affect 10% to 29% of women during the menopause transition, when migraines often worsen and become more frequent, especially during perimenopause.

20 Oct 2026

Premature menopause linked to higher heart disease risk and insulin levels

Premature menopause is associated with an increased risk of several long-term health problems due to estrogen deficiency.

20 Oct 2026

$Vaginal estrogen use may be associated with perioperative hip fracture complications$

Vaginal estrogen use may be associated with perioperative hip fracture complications

Postmenopausal women are at greater risk for multiple health issues, such as hip fractures and urinary tract infections (UTIs), due to estrogen loss.

20 Oct 2026

Gut bacteria may help explain why endometriosis pain varies

A study of 50 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis found that differences in gut bacterial composition were associated with menstrual pain, urinary symptoms, and infertility.

9 Oct 2026

Younger postmenopausal women may not get enough calcium

A small Italian study examined whether women facing heightened bone-loss risks are getting enough calcium from their diets, with particular attention to breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy.

6 Oct 2026

Phase III trial tests MRD-guided treatment for patients with ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer

Alliance Foundation Trials, LLC (AFT), a national leader in conducting innovative, practice-changing cancer clinical trials, and Natera, Inc., a global leader in cell-free DNA and precision medicine, today announced the launch of AFT-70 NAVIGATE, a randomized phase III trial evaluating a novel molecular residual disease (MRD)-guided treatment strategy for patients with intermediate and high-risk ER-positive/HER2-negative early breast cancer.

5 Oct 2026

Sex chromosomes influence immunity, cancer, aging and disease risk

A new review published in Science brings together growing evidence that the X and Y chromosomes do much more than determining biological sex. They also shape how cells function, age and respond to disease.

1 Oct 2026