oestrogen

British  

/ ˌɛstrəˈdʒɛnɪk, ˌiːstrəˈdʒɛnɪk, ˈɛstrə-, ˌiːstrə-, ˌɛstrə-, ˈiːstrədʒən /

noun

1. any of several steroid hormones, that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries and placenta, that induce oestrus, stimulate changes in the female reproductive organs during the oestrous cycle, and promote development of female secondary sexual characteristics

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Other Word Forms

• oestrogenic adjective
• oestrogenically adverb

Etymology

Origin of oestrogen

C20: from _oestrus + _-gen

Example Sentences

Combined oestrogen and progesterone pills still require a prescription.

From BBC

She's been clear of cancer for nine years and hopes doctors may reconsider allowing her to take oestrogen in the future.

From BBC

Hormone therapy for trans women is designed to lower testosterone levels and raise oestrogen levels to the typical values in women.

From BBC

Women are more likely to trigger a stronger immune response, because the hormone oestrogen is known to enhance the immune system.

From BBC

They work on the brain to stop the rise in sex hormones - oestrogen and testosterone - that accompany puberty.

From BBC