Estrogen is an important hormone which is responsible for a woman’s monthly periods and her feminine characteristics. This steroid compound hormone is actually made up of three different types of estrogen hormones called estradiol, estrone and estriol. Estrogen is synonymous with reproduction and therefore the female sexual characteristics. Produced by the ovaries, the body needs to have a balanced amount of estrogen for performing various different functions. Increased or decreased levels of estrogen could lead to other consequences.

Fluctuating levels of estrogen is the primary reason for many of the symptoms that are typically associated with the onset of menopause. Some of these symptoms include, decreased libido, hot flashes, weight gain, drying thinning skin and night sweats. The functions of estrogen are among the most complex and includes preserving bone density, assisting in regulating the monthly menstrual cycle, accelerating the metabolism and helping to increase uterine growth. It is important for women to follow an active and healthy lifestyle, along with adopting a diet that is rich in fiber content. This is known to help in maintaining hot flashes in the body.

Women usually experience the symptoms of declining levels of estrogen between the ages of 45 to 55, a time when most of them reach the stage known as menopause. The period of life before menopause when hormones start to fluctuate is actually called perimenopause.  Advances in medical science have seen the field of hormone replacement therapy make rapid strides. This therapy helps to correct the imbalance of hormones using what are known as bioidentical hormones. For example, excess of estrogen is controlled by introduction of another hormone known as progesterone in the body. Natural progesterone is known to counter the increased levels of estrogen and rectify the imbalance of hormones in the body. Natural bioidentical hormones are obtained from plant extracts and since they are naturally from natural sources, they are considered safe. These plant extracts are then synthecized in a laboratory.  A doctor would prescribe the amount and type of hormones that your body needs replaced, after a thorough medical examination and a test of your hormone levels.  He or she then prescribed an individual mixture of each bioidentical hormone to balance your own hormones.

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