What it means
The hormone that controls female sexual development, the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and helps keep bones strong. As drugs, estrogens are used in birth control pills, in hormone therapy for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopauseMEN-uh-pawzThe time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop for good, counted once there has been no period for 12 months in a row.men/o month, menstruation-pause stopFull entry , and in some cancer treatments. Levels drop at menopause, which is why bone loss (osteoporosisos-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sisA condition in which bones lose density and become thin, weak and easy to break.oste/o bonepor/o pore, small opening-osis abnormal conditionFull entry ) speeds up afterward.
For the nurse
Teach the client to report signs of a blood clot (calf pain or swelling, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath), stroke or unusual vaginal bleeding, and not to smoke. Estrogen therapy carries a boxed warning for a higher risk of endometrial cancer, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer and dementia. The Beers Criteria advise against oral or patch estrogen in older adults.
At a glance
| Spanish | estrógeno |
|---|---|
| Also written | estrogens, oestrogen |
Related terms
deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.
osteoporosis
A condition in which bones lose density and become thin, weak and easy to break.
menopause
The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop for good, counted once there has been no period for 12 months in a row.