estrogen

IPA/ˈiːstrədʒən/
KK[ˈɛstrədʒən]IPA/ˈestrədʒən/

estrogen — noun

1. a natural chemical that the body makes, mostly in the ovaries, and that influenc

1.nounB2
Definition

a natural chemical that the body makes, mostly in the ovaries, and that influences female growth, sexual changes during puberty, and the ability to become pregnant

Example

Mei's doctor explained that estrogen helps regulate her monthly cycle and keeps her bones strong.

collocation: estrogen helps regulate

Nadia's estrogen levels dropped during menopause, causing hot flashes and sleep changes.

collocation: estrogen levels drop

Common collocations
  • produce estrogen
  • estrogen levels
  • estrogen replacement therapy
  • block estrogen
  • estrogen production
  • natural estrogen
Synonyms
  • female sex hormone

    a broader, less technical term that includes all hormones with female-typical effects, not just estrogen

  • oestradiol

    the most potent form of estrogen, used in clinical contexts when referring to a specific compound

Antonyms
  • testosterone

    the primary male sex hormone, often contrasted with estrogen in discussions of hormone balance

Usage Note

Often used with 'levels' to describe the amount present in the body (e.g. 'low estrogen levels', 'high estrogen levels'). Frequently appears in discussions of puberty, menstruation, menopause, and fertility treatments.

Common Mistakes

Estrogen are important for women's health.
Estrogen is important for women's health.
Estrogen is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.
She takes estrogen pills for her bones.' (vague)
She takes estrogen replacement therapy to protect her bone density.
'Estrogen' alone can be unclear; specify the type of treatment.

Word family

  • estrogenic
    adjectiveC1
  • estrogen receptor
    nounC1
  • estrogen therapy
    nounB2
  • anti-estrogen
    adjectiveC1
  • estrogen-like
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'estrogen' is the general term for the group of female sex hormones, 'oestradiol' (or 'estradiol') refers to the specific, most active type used in medical treatments. 'Female sex hormone' is a broader, less precise term that can include progesterone as well. 'Hormone replacement therapy' (HRT) is the medical treatment itself — it delivers estrogen (and sometimes progesterone) to relieve menopause symptoms. For example, a doctor might say "Your estrogen levels are low" but then prescribe 'estradiol patches' specifically.

estrogen ↗oestradiolfemale sex hormonehormone replacement therapy

Common collocations

Nouns

  • estrogen levels
  • estrogen production
  • estrogen therapy
  • estrogen receptor

Adverbs

Phrases

  • estrogen replacement therapy
  • estrogen dominance
  • low estrogen
  • high estrogen

Prepositions

  • of estrogen
  • with estrogen
  • in estrogen

Etymology

GreekEnglish

Coined in English in the 1920s from Greek 'oistros' (gadfly; frenzy) + '-gen' (producing). The Greek word was chosen to evoke the sense of 'frenzy' or 'sharp stimulus' associated with the hormone's effects during the estrus (mating) cycle. The US spelling 'estrogen' drops the 'o' from the earlier British 'oestrogen', which follows the Greek 'oistros' more directly.

First known use

1927

1927, in the meaning defined above