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Estriol

Meaning

Estriol (E3) is one of the three major naturally occurring estrogens in the human body, alongside estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2), and is characterized by its comparatively weaker binding affinity to the classical estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα). E3 is considered a low-potency estrogen, yet it preferentially binds to the estrogen receptor-beta (ERβ), which is highly expressed in tissues like the brain, bone, and blood vessels, suggesting a more selective or tissue-specific action. While it is the primary estrogen produced during pregnancy, its clinical utility in non-pregnant women and men is gaining attention, particularly for its potential protective effects on urogenital tissue and its use in compounded hormone replacement therapy formulations.