Estrogen

generic term for any substance, natural or synthetic, that exerts biological effects characteristic of estrogenic hormones

Description
Estrogens are formed by the ovary, placenta, testes, and possibly the adrenal cortex, as well as by certain plants. They stimulate secondary sexual characteristics, and exert systemic effects, such as growth and maturation of long bones. They are given after menopause or oophorectomy to lower the risk of heart attack and prevent osteoporosis and are also used to prevent or stop lactation, suppress ovulation, and palliate carcinoma of the breast and prostate.