North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

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What are some physiologic effects of estrogen in the female body?

  1. Increased basal metabolism

  2. Development of secondary sex characteristics

  3. Stimulating testosterone production

  4. Myometrial thickening and lactation

The correct answer is: Development of secondary sex characteristics

Estrogen plays a crucial role in the development of secondary sex characteristics in females. This hormone is responsible for the growth and maturation of breast tissue, the widening of hips, and the distribution of body fat in a typically female pattern during puberty. These changes are essential for reproductive health and are a direct result of estrogen's action on various tissues. In addition to secondary sex characteristics, estrogen also influences other physiological processes like the menstrual cycle and plays a role in bone health. While increases in basal metabolism and effects on the uterus and lactation are associated with estrogen, they do not specifically define the unique characteristics that arise due to estrogenic influence during puberty, which is the core reason why the development of secondary sex characteristics is the most relevant choice here. In summary, while estrogen indeed has a multitude of effects within the female body, the development of secondary sex characteristics is particularly significant during puberty and stands out as a primary physiological effect of this hormone.