Estrogen: Estriol (E3)

When people think of a woman’s hormones, they usually just think of estrogen. But there are actually three forms of estrogen in a woman’s body.  These three estrogen forms being estrone, estradiol and estriol.

Estriol is the gentlest form of estrogen. Many think of estriol as being weak or even insignificant.  Actually, estriol is an unsung hero in a woman’s body and just as important as estradiol in a woman’s body. Estriol balances the strong effects of estradiol and inhibits the negative effects of estrone.

Without the balancing effects of estriol, women could experience:

• Tender, swollen cystic breasts

• Weight gain

• Puffy, swelling all over

• Uncontrollable cravings for sugar and processed foods

• moodiness from weepy to rages

• heavy, clotting periods

• irregular bleeding

While there is so much more information regarding the three main forms of estrogen the important message is to have these hormones balanced. Look for more information in the future to how to balance estrogens and why these forms of estrogen get out of balance in the first place.