Fluctuating levels affect almost every organ system.' Here are five big benefits the hormone delivers, plus how to make the most of every life stage as its levels change. 'We're learning that estrogen receptors are throughout the body. 'Until recently, we didn't recognize its importance beyond reproduction,' adds Elizabeth Poynor, MD, a gynecologic surgeon and founder of the Poynor Health clinic, in New York City. But what else does the hormone do? The better question may be 'What doesn't it do?' 'Estrogen touches basically every cell,' says Jen Gunter, MD, a gynecologist and author of The Menopause Manifesto ($15.10, ). And along the way, estrogen gets blamed for breakouts and break-ups, mood dips and weight gains. As the years go on, levels ricochet up and down in perimenopause and drop at menopause.

Its levels rise as we reach puberty then each month it surges, causing the uterine lining to prep for a potential fertilized egg, and drops, kick-starting menstruation. Even if it's been a while since health class, you likely know how estrogen impacts reproductive health.

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