Reproductive
Ovaries (and other tissues)
Oestrogen
The main group of female sex hormones, central to the menstrual cycle.
What it does
- Drives female development and the menstrual cycle
- Protects bones and supports skin and mood
Too much
- High oestrogen can contribute to heavy periods and some cancers\' risk
Too little
- Falling oestrogen at menopause causes hot flushes, mood changes and bone loss
Keeping it balanced: A balanced diet, healthy weight and exercise support hormone balance; discuss menopause care with a doctor.
Sources & references
Think a hormone may be out of balance?
The symptoms of hormonal excess and deficiency are non-specific — tiredness, weight change, low mood and poor sleep have many everyday causes. No hormone problem can be self-diagnosed from a symptom list.
Diagnosis needs blood tests interpreted alongside your history, sometimes repeated at set times of day because many hormones vary hour to hour. Speak to a GP if symptoms are persistent; seek urgent care for severe symptoms such as confusion, fainting, chest pain or extreme thirst with frequent urination.
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