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Estriol: Its Weakness is Its Strength

Estriol, an estrogen that has virtually been ignored by the mainstream medical community, is one of the three principal estrogens produced by the body. Estriol was originally thought to have little significance due to its weak estrogenic activity when compared with estrone and estradiol. Nonetheless, research has found that its weakness may very well be its strength. Studies suggest that when the lower-potency estrogen, estriol, is administered topically, it does not increase the risk of hormone-dependent cancers of the breast or endometrium (uterine lining). However, having weaker estrogenic effects does not mean that estriol has none of the benefits that come with more potent estrogens.…

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Articles of Interest

Estriol; the ‘Good’ Estrogen Advances and Updates in its Clinical Uses

Due to the well-known and documented risks associated with estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) has long piqued the interest of researchers and clinicians. For decades, E3 has proven its efficacy in the successful management of menopausal symptoms. What none of these early pioneers could have predicted however, was that treatment with E3 would provide breakthroughs as an agent in the treatment of Th1-mediated autoimmune disease. E3, for its protective and clinically beneficial actions, is considered a cornerstone in the repertoire of bio-identical hormone therapies (BHT). E2, the well-known, well-studied, and most prescribed form of estrogen, is usually referred to synonymously with estrogen, due to its stronger actions and ubiquitous familiarity as the common estrogen-replacement therapy (ERT). However, E3 is unique as an “estrogen” due to its antagonistic effects on E2 in breast tissue.

What is Estriol (E3)?

Of the three major estrogens, estriol forms the weakest bonds with estrogen receptors. It is a short-acting estrogen. These characteristics are useful because some of the potential negative effects of estrogen depend on long-term interaction. Estriol has been found to provide some of the protection without the risks associated with stronger estrogens. E3 is available only as a compounded bioidentical hormone medication.

Estriol Blood Test: High & Low Levels + Normal Range

Estriol levels increase during pregnancy. After the third semester, the placenta converts DHEA-S into estriol and other estrogens. Estriol becomes the major estrogen, peaking during the third trimester. After a woman gives birth, her estriol levels will decrease and go back to normal

Estrogen—The Power of Three

Estriol (E3). Estriol is the least potent estrogen, and does not offer protection for the heart, bone, or brain like estradiol does. However, estriol has even been shown to protect against breast cancer and to decrease the reoccurrence of breast cancer. Synthetic estrogens that are administered as part of hormone replacement therapy are typically composed of very high doses of estrone or estradiol along with little or no estriol. That combination can throw off the natural balance of estrogen in your body. When estrogen is needed, I usually prefer to treat using the bioidentical estrogen cream Bi-Est, which is composed of the weak estrogen estriol and the strong estrogen estradiol, in a ratio similar to what the ovaries produced prior to menopause.

Exploring Estriol vs Estradiol & What They Mean to You

Estriol, often spelled “oestriol” and denoted as E3, is the dominant form of estrogen found during pregnancy. It is produced by the placenta, and its primary function is to control the production of other pregnancy hormones while also supporting fetal development and uterine growth. Estriol also helps to prepare the body for childbirth and breastfeeding. It is common to have estriol levels checked periodically during pregnancy, as levels that are too high or too low may indicate certain risk factors. For example, research shows that low levels of estriol could be a sign of Down syndrome, and heightened estriol levels before week 37 is also a risk factor for premature labor.

Resources

Cleveland Clinic

Estriol levels start to rise around the eighth week of pregnancy. They continue to increase throughout pregnancy. Estriol levels are at their highest about three weeks before you give birth.

You and Your Hormones

Oestriol is a hormone made during pregnancy that can be used to measure foetal health and predict when birth may happen.