Where Does Estrogen Come From?

Estrogen may either be synthesized chemically or collected from an animal source. Some foods contain natural sources of estrogen, and estrogen is also produced in the human body through bio-synthesis processes. Xenoestrogen byproducts, which are the result of plastic and pesticide production, is a source of estrogen that may be accumulating in our environment. Any type of estrogen supplementation should only be used under the advice of a physician, and you must talk with your doctor if you are concerned about your estrogen levels.

Identification

• Estrogen is a steroidal hormone that is used as an ingredient in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women. Estrogen also is an important hormone that is required in men and women for functions in bone health and reproduction (maturation of sperm in men and maturation and regulation of reproductive organs and sex characteristics in women). Three types of estrogen hormones are produced in women---estrone, estradiol and estriol---while men primarily produce small amounts of estradiol estrogen.

Synthetic Sources

• Synthetic sources of estrogen are chemically created in a laboratory to precisely imitate the natural molecular structure and physical components of natural estrogen. Synthetic estrogens are used most often in estrogen products such as birth control, vaginal rings, estrogen creams and estrogen patches. An example of synthetic estrogen is ethinyl estradiol, which most frequently used in birth control pills.

Animal Source

• Estrogen hormone replacement medications may use an animal source for their estrogen ingredient. Conjugated equine estrogens used in prescription hormone therapy medications such as Premarin are collected from the urine of pregnant horses. Animal rights groups protest this source of estrogen ingredient and encourage women to use synthetic estrogen medications instead.

Foods

• Hundreds of foods contain sources of plant estrogens known as phytoestrogens. When these foods are consumed, their natural estrogens are often broken down through digestive processes, but a diet high in phytoestrogen foods may be beneficial to women who are in need of estrogen supplementation (e.g. post-menopausal). Examples of foods that contain natural estrogens include alfalfa, barley, chickpeas, flaxseed, papaya, pumpkin, soybeans and yams.

Production in the Body

• Women and men produce estrogen within their body through biosynthesis, although women produce much higher amounts of estrogen than men. Estrogen is produced in the sex organs of the testicles in men and ovaries in women. The liver and adrenal gland produce small amounts of estrogen in women and men, and in women, breast tissue produces very tiny amounts of estrogen, too.

Xenoestrogens

• Xenoestrogens are estrogens that are a byproduct or ingredient in synthesized materials such as plastics, pesticides, chemical cleaners and some cosmetics. The effects of everyday exposure to xenoestrogen through common household products and increased pesticide use are increasingly becoming a concern as the effects of this exposure are not well understood. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are trying to determine the levels of xenoestrogen accumulation in human populations and how much of an effect it may have on our health.