Excessive estrogen can cause gynecomastia, or enlarged breasts. Too much of it can cause infertility and erectile dysfunction. Too little estrogen can lead to a low sex drive. In cisgender men, transgender women and nonbinary people with penises, estrogen impacts sex drive and the ability to get an erection and make sperm. What role does estrogen play in reproductive health for men or AMAB?Įstrogen affects the reproductive health of people who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), too. The primary estrogen in your body changes from estradiol (E2) to estrone (E1) during menopause.

The decrease in estrogen may lead to symptoms like vaginal dryness, mood changes, night sweats and hot flashes. With menopause, your estrogen levels drop and you no longer ovulate. Menopause officially begins when you don’t have a period for 12 months. Perimenopause may last several years before menopause. MenopauseĮstrogen levels drop during perimenopause, the time right before menopause. It keeps your vaginal walls thick, elastic and lubricated, reducing pain associated with penetrative sex. Regardless of where you are in your menstrual cycle, the presence of estrogen makes it more comfortable to have intercourse. These estrogen-induced changes make it easier for you to become pregnant if you have intercourse. At the same time, estrogen thins your cervical mucus, a fluid sperm has to swim through to reach and fertilize an egg. Pregnancy & FertilityĮstrogen peaks in the days leading up to ovulation. Estrogen plays a role in ovulation (when your ovaries release an egg) and thickens the lining of your uterus (endometrium) to prepare it for pregnancy.

These hormones coexist in a delicate balance to keep your periods regular. Menstrual cycleĪlong with hormones made in your brain ( FSH and LH) and progesterone, estrogen plays an important part in your menstrual cycle. The increase leads to secondary sex characteristics like breasts and changes in overall body composition (like curves). PubertyĮstrogen levels rise during puberty. These processes cause important changes in your body. It tells your body when to start and stop processes affecting your sexual and reproductive health. What role does estrogen play in reproductive health for women or DFAB?Įstrogen, like all hormones, is a chemical messenger.

Adrenal gland estrogen