Estradiol

Estradiol, or E2, is the primary and most potent form of estrogen, a steroid hormone crucial for reproductive and sexual functioning, primarily in females. It is mainly produced by the ovaries, but also in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands, placenta (during pregnancy), and certain other tissues. Estradiol plays a vital role in the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and maintenance of reproductive tissues within the body. Its circulating levels fluctuate significantly throughout the menstrual cycle and during different life stages.