The norm of estradiol in women is 57-227 pg / ml. Strange, but beauty and femininity, health, sex drive of all the fair sex depend on these figures. Despite widespread concern, deviations from defined boundaries are not always a sign of problems. The amount of hormones in the blood is determined by many factors.
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What is estradiol
Estradiol is referred to as estrogen - female sex hormones. This group also includes estriol and estrone, but the first representative is the most active and is responsible for more functions. It is produced directly in the ovaries, a certain amount is produced in the adrenal glands, adipose tissues and placenta. It is also produced in the body of men - in the testes, adrenal glands, but the workings and concentration in the opposite sex are much lower than in women.
Due to the specific molecular structure, estradiol is classified as a steroid hormone that is formed from cholesterol.
Importance for the female body
Sex hormones are responsible not only for the reproductive organs. They have a complex effect on the body, can affect the appearance, mood, function of other body systems.
Until about 12-14 years old, the amount of estradiol in the blood is almost the same for both boys and girls. Adolescence is the period when the level of this hormone in the female body increases significantly.It is this process that provides external differences between girls and boys: thanks to the active substances, the former acquire a thin waist, rounded chest and hips, a reduced amount of body hair, and a characteristic voice pitch.
The following estradiol functions are distinguished:
- the formation of sexual characteristics in women;
- growth and normal functioning of the uterus during puberty and during pregnancy;
- normalization of the menstrual cycle, its formation in adolescent girls;
- acceleration of the processes of renewal of muscle and bone tissue, their strengthening and increase endurance;
- cleansing blood vessels of "bad" cholesterol, preventing the appearance of atherosclerosis, leveling blood pressure;
- normalization of smooth muscle activity, including intestinal tissue and bladder;
- increased conduction of nerve tissue;
- anabolic effect (the formation of simpler compounds of more complex ones, for example, the buildup of fat under the skin or muscle mass).
Under the influence of heterogeneous hormones, mood changes. The content of estradiol in the normal range leads to the fact that a woman feels healthy, full of strength, she is less prone to depression and better tolerates fatigue. In combination with testosterone, this hormone is responsible for sex drive. Imbalance is fraught with general weakness, causeless disorders, constant stress and lack of sexual desire.
How is hormone tested
If any hormonal disorders occur, the doctor will need the results of the tests. It all comes down to standard blood collection in a special laboratory, but this process has a number of features.
You should not go on your own to take hormonal tests without a doctor’s appointment.
First, the amount in the blood is tied to the phase of the cycle. At the beginning of the cycle, until the 4th day, its volumes are minimal, which may seem to be a reduced norm. By the middle of the cycle, immediately before ovulation, estradiol increases significantly. The approximate date of the blood test should be discussed with your doctor.
The procedure is usually assigned on the 4th or 6th day of the cycle, the second analysis is carried out on the 21-23th day to compare indicators.
Below is a table of hormone levels in different phases for women from 14 to 55 years old.
| Day | Phase | The amount of estradiol in the blood (PG / ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-14 | Follicular | 57-227 |
| 14-16 | Ovulation | 127-427 |
| 16-30 | Luteal | 77-227 |
Secondly, the hormone estradiol test requires some preparation to obtain the most accurate results.
Nothing complicated, just follow the rules below:
- a few days before the procedure, try to minimize or eliminate fatty, flour, smoked meats and alcohol from the menu;
- it is necessary to take the analysis in the morning, on an empty stomach, you can drink only a small amount of water or unsweetened weakly brewed tea;
- you can not measure the amount of the hormone immediately after an x-ray or rectal procedures;
- you need to relax and not worry.
Age table: Estradiol norm in women
Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout life. At birth, this hormone is practically absent in the girl’s body. By the age of 4 appears, but still can not fully influence the body. The most striking manifestation of his activity is by the age of 14, the puberty period, when the external signs of a woman are already noticeable. The next crucial stage is the onset of old age, when the level of the hormone drops sharply. Before menopause, many women notice changes in the figure, it becomes fuller, the skin - more sagging, wrinkles appear. The mood is constantly changing, and not for the better. During menopause, the active hormone is slightly present in the body, which primarily affects sexual activity.
Therefore, it is important to understand at what age the level of estradiol in the blood is considered normal.
| Age | Estradiol (pg / ml) |
|---|---|
| From birth to 6 years | 0-22 |
| 6-14 years old | 22-57 |
| 14-55 years old | 57-227 |
| 55 and more | 19-85 |
Reasons for a decrease in hormone levels
Hormonal disorders are caused not only by serious illnesses, but also by the wrong lifestyle or by taking the wrong drugs.
Low estradiol immediately affects the woman's appearance: the skin becomes dry, unusual peeling appears, hair falls out, nails look untidy, break, an extra vegetation may appear on the body. The most characteristic sign is delays or a complete absence of menstruation.
The causes of violations can be the following:
- unhealthy lifestyle: smoking, alcohol, which tend to upset the balance of hormones;
- strict diets low in fat, protein or a vegetarian lifestyle with a lack of animal products;
- chronic overwork;
- excessively intense physical activity;
- pituitary disease;
- neoplasms in the ovaries or other organs of the small pelvis;
- venereal diseases;
- disorders in the production of hormones by the adrenal glands and thyroid gland;
- severe bacterial infections.
When the first signs of possible violations appear, you should contact a gynecologist or endocrinologist.
Accurate identification of the cause will help to quickly get rid of the negative manifestations of hormonal imbalance.
What does it mean if the hormone is elevated
Elevated estradiol is the norm only if the girl is pregnant. In any other case, it should be considered as a pathological condition.
If estradiol is elevated, the woman notices that the skin has become more oily, pores have expanded and acne has begun to appear, body weight is increasing for no reason, appetite is increasing, malfunctions are observed in menstruation, fatigue increases, and swelling is detected. Digestive disorders, irritability, and insomnia may appear.
This can be caused by a violation of the function of the ovaries themselves - the follicle is not destroyed, and the body does not know how to react to this. As a result, levels of other hormones may increase.
Other reasons:
- problems with the production of thyroid hormones;
- alcohol abuse
- diseases of the genital and urinary organs;
- dysfunction of the pituitary gland.
A common cause of an abnormal increase in estradiol levels is cirrhosis. It is in this organ that hormones break down. The very first problems with it result in the accumulation of excess active substances.
Pregnancy rates
In the body of a pregnant woman, estradiol interacts directly with progesterone, which is responsible for the normal course of the process of formation and development of the fetus. At this time, these two hormones begin to be produced by the placenta and their number is constantly growing.
During pregnancy, estradiol can reach a record 27,000 pg / ml, but this is true in recent weeks. A special table has been developed with a hormone rate for each period.
| A week | Estradiol |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | 210-400 |
| 3-4 | 380-680 |
| 5-6 | 1680-1480 |
| 7-8 | 1380-1750 |
| 9-10 | 1650-2290 |
| 11-12 | 2280-3120 |
| 13-14 | 2760-6580 |
| 15-16 | 5020-6580 |
| 17-18 | 4560-7740 |
| 19-20 | 7440-9620 |
| 21-22 | 8260-11460 |
| 23-24 | 10570-13650 |
| 25-26 | 10890-14090 |
| 27-28 | 11630-14490 |
| 29-30 | 11120-16220 |
| 31-32 | 12170-15960 |
| 33-34 | 13930-18550 |
| 35-36 | 15320-21160 |
| 37-38 | 15080-22850 |
It is the fluctuations of estradiol that are responsible for changes in the mood of pregnant women, increased appetite, and the absence of menstruation. Since this condition is normal for the body, a sharp decrease in the hormone after the birth of the baby is reflected as postpartum depression.
How to normalize estradiol levels
With critical abnormalities of estradiol, the doctor may prescribe hormone therapy. This is the most effective way to quickly eliminate such violations. But it is characterized by a significant number of side effects. For example, with reduced estradiol, taking drugs with its content can cause a sharp increase in body weight, lethargy, and changes in the emotional state.
Vitamins are sometimes prescribed, but they are less effective. Such funds are prescribed with a slight imbalance caused by overwork, stress, nervous strain. In addition to the order include dietary supplements (biologically active additives). They have a supportive effect, normalize the basic functions, but they cannot fundamentally solve hormonal problems.
It is important not to refuse the treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Many girls are afraid of transformations of their appearance and do not take prescribed drugs, but this can lead to severe structural damage to the body and cause chronic diseases. This is especially true of sex hormones, the pathological production of which turns into ovarian cysts, disorders of the uterus and even infertility.
On the other hand, sometimes such problems are exaggerated, and for their solution it is enough to follow a healthy lifestyle, abandon "weaknesses" like bad habits, an abundance of sweets in the diet, fatty foods, alcohol.
The key to the normal production of estradiol is healthy sleep. It should last at least 8 hours in a quiet, well-ventilated area.
Some resort to folk remedies. To equalize hormone levels, decoctions and infusions based on lavender, nettle, chamomile, mint, lemon balm, St. John's wort are suitable. But their effectiveness is in question. Additionally, you can resort to aromatherapy, massage, yoga, but do not take these methods as basic. Anyway you must follow the doctor’s recommendations and not self-medicate.
Estradiol is an important hormone in a woman’s life, therefore it is necessary to carefully monitor its level in the blood. But you should not absolutize each digit. This indicator is variable, and at different periods of life the amount of the hormone changes.
