The Role of Chemistry in History

Introduction to Estradiol, Definition and Structure, Estradiol’s Effect on History: Medicinal Purposes, Estradiol’s Effect on History: Therapeutic Purposes, History’s Effect on Estradiol

• Hormone replacement therapy
  • If a woman has low estrogen levels during or after menopause, she will be given a set of drugs to boost hormone levels
    • These drugs will be given in a variety of ways: patches, creams, gels, or tablets
    • Dosage varies depending on the case but estrogens are typically taken every day
  • Transgendered males will take estrogens to help grow breasts, change hair growth, and redistribute body fat
    • Estradiol can be given orally, nasally, sublingually, transdermally, or implanted
    • Doses are normally very high for the first few years but then may decrease with time
• Blocking estrogens
  • Every once in a while estrogens will be blocked when causing unwanted circumstances such as breast cancer or gynecomastia, a condition in which males grow large breasts
  • The aromatase enzyme converts testosterone into estradiol so by inhibiting this action, estrogen levels can be decreased