Meaning & use
oestrogen
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountablebiologymedical
A hormone that controls female sexual development and the menstrual cycle, also produced in small amounts by men.
Grammar: Uncountable: say 'oestrogen levels' or 'a type of oestrogen', not 'an oestrogen'.
Patterns
- oestrogen levels
- produce oestrogen
- oestrogen replacement therapy
Oestrogen levels rise during the first half of the menstrual cycle.
The doctor explained that both men and women produce oestrogen.
Some breast cancers grow faster when oestrogen is present.
noununcountablemedical
A synthetic form of this hormone used in medicines, especially for menopause symptoms and contraception.
Grammar: Often used before another noun: 'oestrogen pill', 'oestrogen patch'.
Patterns
- take oestrogen
- oestrogen therapy
- oestrogen pill
She started taking oestrogen to reduce her hot flashes.
Oestrogen therapy can help with symptoms of menopause.
The pill contains a combination of oestrogen and progestogen.
Common combinations
- oestrogen levels
- High oestrogen levels can affect mood and energy.
- produce oestrogen
- The ovaries produce most of the body's oestrogen.
- oestrogen replacement therapy
- Oestrogen replacement therapy is one option for severe menopause symptoms.
- a drop in oestrogen
- A drop in oestrogen after menopause can weaken bones.
Synonyms and how they differ
- estrogen
- The American spelling of the same word; use it in US English texts.
- female hormone
- A non-technical way to refer to oestrogen, though it is less precise.
Word family
- oestrogenic adjective
- Having an effect like oestrogen, as in 'oestrogenic compounds'.
Commonly confused: oestrogen or progesterone?
oestrogen vs progesterone
Another female hormone; oestrogen and progesterone have different roles in the menstrual cycle.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Oestrogen' is uncountable, so it does not take 'an' or a plural verb. 'Oestrogen levels rise during pregnancy' is correct. Option B uses 'an', option C uses 'an' before a singular countable noun, and option D uses a plural verb with a singular uncountable noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “oestrogen”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.