Estrogen was never just a fertility hormone. In Part 1 of our estrogen series, we reframe it as a whole-body, protective hormone — with receptors in your bones, brain, blood vessels, skin, joints, bladder, and beyond. We break down the three estrogens and their roles, what estrogen does throughout the body, and why low estrogen shows up as everything from joint pain and sleep changes to mood shifts and recurrent UTIs — symptoms that are so often misattributed. If estrogen only mattered for fertility, why does losing it affect so much? Tune in to find out, then join us for Part 2 on estrogen therapy.