How does adipose tissue contribute to estrogen production after menopause?

After menopause, the ovaries significantly decrease their production of estrogen. In this stage, adipose tissue becomes an important site for the synthesis of these hormones.1

Adipose tissue contributes to estrogen production through the action of an enzyme known as aromatase. This enzyme facilitates the conversion of androgens—specifically androstenedione—into estrogens. While the ovaries are the primary source of aromatase during a woman's reproductive years, the presence of this enzyme in fat cells allows adipose tissue to serve as a vital, albeit secondary, source of estrogen in postmenopausal women.1