Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Estriol
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Estriol (also oestriol) is one of the three main estrogens produced by the human body. It is only produced in significant amounts during pregnancy as it is made by the placenta. In pregnant women with multiple sclerosis (MS), estriol reduces the disease’s symptoms noticeably, according to researchers at UCLA’s Geffen Medical School.
Levels of estriol in non-pregnant women do not change much after menopause, and levels are not significantly different from levels in men.
Use in screening
Use in screening
Estriol levels can be measured to give an indication of the general health of the fetus. DHEA-S is produced by the adrenal cortex of the fetus. This is converted to estriol by the placenta.
If levels of “unconjugated estriol” are abnormally low in a pregnant woman, this may indicate a problem with the development of the child.[1] It is included as part of the triple test.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]