Display omitted •The effect of estrogens on tendons and ligaments is poorly understood.•Research implies a positive effect of estrogens on tendon tissue biology and biomechanics.•However, results are in part conflicting, highlighting the need of for further in-depth research in the field. Tendons and ligaments are crucial structures inside the musculoskeletal system. Still many issues in the treatment of tendon diseases and injuries have yet not been resolved sufficiently. In particular, the role of estrogen-like compound (ELC) in tendon biology has received until now little attention in modern research, despite ELC being a well-studied and important factor in the physiology of other parts of the musculoskeletal system. In this review we attempt to summarize the available information on this topic and to determine many open questions in this field.