Home Biomarkers Estrogen

Estrogen

Fertility profile Biomarker

Sample Needed

Collection Type: Blood

Body System

Related System: Fertility profile

Overview

Estrogen refers mainly to the group of female sex hormones (estradiol is the principal form measured for fertility). The test quantifies circulating estradiol to assess ovarian function, timing of ovulation, and response to fertility treatments. It helps investigate infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, precocious or delayed puberty, and suspected estrogen-producing tumors. Symptoms prompting testing include irregular or absent periods, infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding, hot flashes, or signs of puberty change. Normal values vary widely by sex, age and phase of the menstrual cycle: reproductive-age women have cyclical rises and a midcycle peak, men and postmenopausal women have much lower levels.

People also test for

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required

Why Do I Need This Test

Included in: Fertility profile / reproductive hormone panel.
Symptoms: Irregular menses, infertility, amenorrhea, abnormal bleeding, pubertal timing changes.
Diagnoses/monitoring: Ovarian reserve/function, ovulation timing, assisted reproduction response, menopausal status, estrogen-secreting tumors.
Reasons for abnormal levels: ovarian failure, PCOS, pregnancy, exogenous hormones, tumors, liver disease, obesity.
Biological meaning: Low levels indicate ovarian insufficiency/menopause or hypothalamic dysfunction; high levels indicate ovulation, pregnancy, estrogen excess, or estrogen-producing neoplasm.
Lifestyle/family history: Obesity, hormone therapy, environmental estrogen exposure, family history of early menopause or endocrine tumors.

Run our symptom checker to see if this test is right for you

Symptom Checker

Understanding Test Results

Interpretation depends on sex and cycle timing.
In reproductive-age women, follicular values <20 pg/mL suggest ovarian insufficiency or approaching menopause; persistently low levels correlate with amenorrhea and infertility.
A midcycle rise to 150–750 pg/mL confirms normal ovulation; failure to achieve a midcycle peak suggests anovulation.
Luteal-phase values (70–250 pg/mL) reflect corpus luteum activity—very low luteal E2 may impair implantation.
Sustained estradiol above the expected phase (for example >400–500 pg/mL outside ovulation, or >750 pg/mL persistently) can indicate ovarian hyperstimulation, estrogen-secreting tumors (e.g., granulosa cell tumor), exogenous estrogen, or severe liver disease.
In men, values above ~40 pg/mL warrant evaluation for exogenous estrogen, liver disease, or estrogen-producing neoplasm.
Values must be interpreted with assay type, cycle day, pregnancy status, and medications in mind.

Normal Range

Premenopausal (follicular): 20-150 pg/mL OR 73-551 pmol/L Mid-cycle (ovulatory peak): 150-750 pg/mL OR 551-2753 pmol/L Luteal: 70-250 pg/mL OR 257-918 pmol/L Postmenopausal: <20 pg/mL OR <73 pmol/L Males: 10-40 pg/mL OR 37-147 pmol/L Children (prepubertal): <20 pg/mL OR <73 pmol/L

FAQs

Q: What does estrogen do for a woman?

A: Estrogen regulates female reproductive development and the menstrual cycle by stimulating uterine lining growth and supporting ovulation and fertility. It drives secondary sexual characteristics (breast growth, body fat distribution), maintains vaginal health and lubrication, supports bone density and cardiovascular function, influences mood and cognition, and affects skin and hair. Declining estrogen during menopause raises risks of bone loss, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes.

Q: Which food is high in estrogen?

A: Foods richest in estrogen-like compounds (phytoestrogens) include soy and soy products tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy milk and flaxseeds (very high in lignans). Other sources are sesame seeds, chickpeas, lentils, whole grains and some nuts. These plant compounds (isoflavones, lignans) can mimic or modulate estrogen activity but are not identical to human estrogen.

Q: What happens if a girl has high estrogen?

A: High estrogen in a girl can trigger early puberty (breast development, rapid growth), irregular or heavy periods, bloating, breast tenderness, acne and mood swings. It may cause weight gain and headaches. Chronically high estrogen can thicken the uterine lining, increase fibroid risk and, in some situations (especially with hormone therapy), raise blood-clot risk. See a clinician for evaluation.

Q: What happens when your estrogen is low?

A: When estrogen is low, you may experience irregular or absent periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and painful sex, reduced libido, mood swings, anxiety or depression, sleep disturbances and fatigue. Long-term low estrogen raises bone loss and fracture risk and can worsen cholesterol profiles and cardiovascular risk. Cognitive changes and urinary symptoms like urgency or infections may also occur; treatments include lifestyle changes and hormone or nonhormonal therapies.

Q: Does estrogen increase breast size?

A: Estrogen plays a major role in breast development by stimulating ductal growth and increasing fatty tissue, so levels rising in puberty, pregnancy or hormone therapy often enlarge breasts. Effects vary widely—genetics, body weight, progesterone and prolactin also matter. In adult women estrogen alone may cause only modest or temporary change; combined hormones typically produce greater enlargement. Discuss risks with a clinician.

Q: What causes high estrogen?

A: High estrogen can result from obesity (fat tissue converts androgens to estrogens), estrogen-containing medications or hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, estrogen-producing tumors (ovarian, adrenal, or testicular), liver disease reducing hormone breakdown, polycystic ovary syndrome and other endocrine disorders, some medications that alter hormone metabolism, and age-related, genetic, or pituitary conditions disrupting regulation.