Estrogens are a group of steroids responsible for the development and function of reproductive organs and the formation of secondary sex characteristics in women.
Estrogens and progesterone help to regulate the menstrual cycle, are involved in the growth of breasts and the uterus, and help to maintain a healthy pregnancy. They are considered the main sex hormones for women, although they are also found in men and play a role in bone metabolism and growth in both sexes.
Estradiol (E2) is a form of the hormone estrogen. It is primarily produced in the ovaries under stimulation of FSH and LH in pre-menopausal women and the testicles in men. It's also called 17 beta-estradiol. The ovaries, breasts, and adrenal glands produce this hormone, and during pregnancy, the placenta also produces estradiol.
E2 is the most potent estrogen and is present in the highest concentration in non-pregnant, pre-menopausal women. Estradiol levels are a good marker of ovarian function, and they vary depending on a woman's age and reproductive status.
Be sure to ask patients about all the medicines they are currently on. Including:
This is a single-marker test measuring estradiol (E2). It is used to help diagnose infertility issues, hormone imbalances, and other reproductive conditions.
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