Estradiol (E2)

Estradiol is an estrogenic hormone, C18H24O2, produced by the ovaries and used in treating estrogen deficiency. Estradiol is essential for maintaining normal female functions and is normally produced by the ovaries. After menopause, the ovaries decrease their production of this hormone.

Estradiol is a sex hormone. Estradiol is the predominant sex hormone present in females; however, it is present in males, albeit at lower levels, as well. It represents the major estrogen in humans. Estradiol has not only a critical impact on reproductive and sexual functioning, but also affects other organs including the bones.Estradiol is produced not only in the gonads: In both sexes, precursor hormones, to be specific testosterone, are converted by aromatization to estradiol. In particular, fat cells are active to convert precursors to estradiol, and will continue to do so even after menopause.