Estrogen

Estrogen is a female hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen deficiency can lead to osteoporosis. Estrogen therapy preparations include: esterified estrogens esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone estradiol estrogens conjugated and medroxyprogesterone estrogens conjugated The brand names of estrogen therapy preparations include: CLIMARA (estradiol) ESTRACE (estradiol) ESTRADERM (estradiol) ESTRATAB (esterified estrogens) ESTRATEST (esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone) MENEST (esterified estrogens) OGEN (estropipate) PREMARIN (estrogens conjugated) PREMPHASE (estrogens conjugated and medroxyprogesterone) PREMPRO (estrogens conjugated and medroxyprogesterone)

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Generic term for any substance, natural or synthetic, that exerts biologic effects characteristic of estrogenic hormones such as 17β-estradiol. Estrogens are formed by the ovary, placenta, testes, and possibly the adrenal cortex, as well as by certain plants; they stimulate secondary sexual characteristics, and exert systemic effects, such as growth and maturation of long bones, and are used therapeutically in any disorder attributable to e. deficiency or amenable to e. therapy, such as menstrual disorders and menopausal problems. They control the course of the menstrual cycle. Used in certain treatments of coronary disorders in women. SYN: estrin, oestrogen. [G. oistrus, estrus, + -gen, producing]

- catechol e. any 2-hydroxylated derivative of an e.; they, with their methylated derivatives, can account for up to one-half of all excreted e. metabolites.

- conjugated e. an amorphous preparation of naturally occurring, water-soluble, conjugated forms of mixed estrogens obtained from the urine of pregnant mares (conjugated equine e.); the principal e. present is sodium estrone sulfate; suitable for parenteral, oral, and topical administration, and used in conditions responsive to e. therapy.

- esterified estrogens a mixture of the sodium salts of sulfate esters of estrogenic substances; used for oral e. therapy.

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es·tro·gen 'es-trə-jən or chiefly Brit oes·tro·gen 'ē-strə-jən n any of various natural steroids (as estradiol) that are formed from androgen precursors, that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries, placenta, adipose tissue, and testes, and that stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and promote the growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system also any of various synthetic or semisynthetic steroids (as ethinyl estradiol) that mimic the physiological effect of natural estrogens

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es·tro·gen (esґtrə-jen) a generic term for any estrus-producing steroid. In humans estrogens are formed in the ovary, possibly the adrenal cortex, the testis, and the fetoplacental unit and have various functions in both sexes. They are responsible for the development of the female secondary sex characters, and during the menstrual cycle they act on the female genitalia to produce an environment suitable for the fertilization, implantation, and nutrition of the early embryo. Exogenous estrogens are used in oral contraceptives; in treatment of some kinds of advanced breast and prostate carcinoma; in replacement therapy for female hypogonadism, ovariectomy, primary ovarian failure, atrophic vaginitis, vasomotor menopausal symptoms, and vulvar squamous hyperplasia, treatment of atrophic urethritis and abnormal uterine bleeding, and prophylaxis of osteoporosis. Common naturally occurring estrogens include estradiol and estrone. Called also estrin and female sex hormone.