Estrogens are the main group of female sex hormones. Among other functions, they are responsible for the development of the reproductive system, secondary sexual characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle in women. They are synthesized mainly in the ovaries and in the placenta. Also in the adrenal glands of both men and women, although in much smaller amounts.
Chemically, estrogens are steroid hormones derived from cholesterol. Male sex hormones are synthesized from cholesterol, and from these estrogens.
The three most important estrogens are:
- Estradiol: aromatase enzyme obtains it from testosterone.
- Estrone: aromatase enzyme obtains it from progesterone.
- estriol: aromatase enzyme obtains it from androsterone.
Estrogens in man
Although estrogens are the main group of female sex hormones, they are not hormones exclusive to women. They are also synthesized in men, although at much lower and variable levels at different stages of life:
- In kidsa normal range for estrogens, measured as estradiol in the blood, is between 10 and 37 pg/ml (picogram/milliliter).
- During the puberty the levels increase and are between 23 and 84 pg/ml.
- In the adult menthe estrogen range considered normal is between 25 and 50 pg/ml.
these levels, relatively lowthey have a very important role in men's health because they are necessary to maintain body weight levels, are involved in reproductive function and contribute to the proper functioning of the thyroid. In addition, they are related to a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.
excess estrogen
The man, therefore, needs estrogen for the proper functioning of his body, but he needs it in low quantity. High levels, a medical condition known as hyperestrogenismcan do development of female sexual characteristicssuch as breast enlargement (gynecomastia) and increased fatty tissue in the hip area and lower abdomen.
Other symptoms include loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, feeling tired and emotional disturbances, mainly depression. Excess estrogen in men is also associated with infertility, testicular atrophy, prostate hyperplasia, and type 2 diabetes.
Main causes
Of all the estrogens, estradiol is the one that tends to rise the most in men, since it is synthesized from testosterone, the main male hormone. For this reason, estradiol is the hormone that is usually measured to diagnose a possible excess estrogen in men.
This increase can have numerous causes. Some of the main factors are age, liver malfunction, obesity, alcohol consumption, zinc deficiency and some drug treatments.
With being overweight, you develop a increased number of adipocyteswhich produce elevated aromatase levels, which is the enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol. The effect is intensified if there is also low muscle mass. The same pathway is affected by zinc deficiency, which also increases aromatase levels, as well as being necessary for testosterone synthesis.
The consumption of estrogenic foods can also lead to hyperestrogenism, especially foods of animal origin, since vegetables contain phytoestrogens, analogous to animal estrogens but with much lower activity.
Some syndromes, such as familial hyperestrogenism, have a genetic origin.