Estrogen is the main sex hormone in women and is essential to the menstrual cycle. Although estrogen exists in men as well as women, it is found in higher amounts in women.  It also contributes to the development of secondary sex characteristics, which are the defining differences between men and women that don’t relate to the reproductive system. In women, these characteristics include breasts, a widened pelvis, and increased amounts of body fat in the buttock, thigh and hip region. Estrogen also contributes to the fact that women have less facial hair and smoother skin than men.  

          Recent studies have been done and have found that estrogen's effects on the brain might lead to treatments for Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.  The studies have also shown that giving estrogen to both animals and people can improve their memory and increase accuracy on tests.  This is because activating estrogen receptors potentially increase the amount of information that can be transferred from one cell to another.  An increase in information transferred increases brain activity, memory, and accuracy. 

            Along with everything that helps heal there is always side effects.  Studies show that with an increase in estrogen comes an increase in the chance of breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack.  With these risks known, researchers are trying to find a way to activate estrogen receptors without having to actually use estrogen.  They are kind of at a halt with that because they can’t find anything that does this.  In conclusion, if we could find somewhat of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia that would be better than nothing.  It is looking like in the near future this will be possible and hopefully used all throughout the world to help people suffering from these terrible diseases.