An estrogen test measures the level of estrogens in the blood or urine. Estrogen can also be measured in saliva using at-home test kit. Estrogens are a group of hormones that play a key role in the development of female physical features and reproductive functions, including the growth of breasts and the uterus, and regulation of the menstrual cycle . Men also make estrogen but in much smaller amounts.
There are many types of estrogens, but only three types are commonly tested:
- Estrone, also called E1, is the main female hormone made by women after menopause. Menopause is a time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods have stopped and she can't become pregnant anymore. It usually starts when a woman is around 50 years old.
- Estradiol, also called E2, is the main female hormone made by nonpregnant women.
- Estriol, also called E3 is a hormone that increases during pregnancy .
Measuring estrogen levels can provide important information about your fertility (the ability to get pregnant), the health of your pregnancy, your menstrual cycle, and other health conditions.
Other names: estradiol test, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), estrogenic hormone test