Oestrogen
by Sandra Sapio on October 03, 2024
Oestrogen is a very important hormone.
Along with progesterone, it is the main hormone controlling the menstrual cycle.
Oestrogen causes the physical changes that occur in puberty: growth of breasts, pubic and underarm hair, as well as starting the menstrual cycle.
It then becomes important in helping to regulate the menstrual cycle, maturing the egg and growing the uterine lining to enable pregnancy.
It is also responsible for controlling cholesterol, protecting bone health and can affect your mood.
During the menstrual cycle, oestrogen levels rise and fall twice. It first rises during the follicular phase, peaking just before ovulation. It starts to drop just before ovulation, before rising and peaking again in the middle of the luteal phase. It drops before the period if there is no pregnancy.
