The Many Faces Of Estrogen

Estrogen is one of the most powerful of female hormones. It binds to tissue in the uterus and breasts by attaching to estrogen receptor sites. It is then transported into the cytoplasm of the cell and on to genetic material to work its estrogenic effect by stimulating specific protein syntheses.

Compounds in plants that mimic estrogen are called phytoestrogens and can competitively bind to estrogen receptor sites. By usurping the estrogen receptor cite they exclude the more powerful estrogen produced by the body. But once attached they exert a more mild estrogenic effect. Phytoestrogens are normally 40 times weaker than estrogens. They can also lower luteinizing hormone levels, which tend to rise at menopause causing symptoms such as hot flashes.

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