Menopause is one of the most challenging events in a person's life. Transitions in hormone levels during the natural aging process result in what can feel like life-altering symptoms and effects. From losing sleep to depression and irritability, menopause brings a host of challenges for the person dealing with it. There are plant-based menopause supplements that can help ease symptoms. It's also important to understand what's happening inside the body during menopause. Read on to find out about estrogen receptors and the way they connect to menopause.

Alpha Receptors

Scientists discovered the first estrogen receptor in the mid-20th century, which is why it's referred to as the alpha receptor. Estrogen is a sex hormone and plays a critical role in bodily functions, growth, and the overall health of the cardiovascular system, skeletal system, and reproductive system.

The ovaries and adrenal glands make estrogen, which then begins to circulate in the body. However, estrogen would not have any effect on the body's systems without receptors. Receptors are proteins inside cells with a specific design allowing them to bind to bodily substances such as hormones. Estrogen binds to its receptors and those receptors take on the job of signaling to the cell. Estrogen receptors are essentially the middlemen between estrogen and the building blocks of the body.

Estrogen receptors are incredibly powerful. They can tell a cell what to do with its DNA and how to act. This is because estrogen receptors alpha and beta are nuclear receptors, meaning they live in the nucleus of a cell, which is like the heart and brain of a cell all in one place. Scientists have found that estrogen receptors play important roles in many systems of the body, including the cardiovascular system, skeletal system, immune system, and more.

Beta Receptors

Researchers discovered the estrogen beta receptor decades later. The beta receptor is another nuclear receptor that binds to estrogen and has its own distinct roles when it comes to genetic expression in cells.

Estrogen receptors may play a part in mental health during menopause. Since estrogen levels drop as people age, this can result in mood swings during menopause. Estrogen receptors do participate in brain activity and cell behavior, so it poses an interesting question of how these receptors function during menopause and whether or not menopause treatments affect the receptors.

The exact role of estrogen receptors in the body is not clear to scientists. In fact, this is a field that gets a lot of attention because there is so much still to study and learn. However, as estrogen levels dip, the symptoms of menopause begin, and this has impacts across systems of the body. The relationship between estrogen and its receptors is very important, which means that estrogen receptors also connect to menopause.

While menopause can be overwhelming, it's important to understand how and why it happens and the many impacts it has on the body. Learn more about how you can get menopause mood relief natural supplement support today and begin feeling your best again.

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