Can Menopause Cause High Blood Pressure
Can menopause cause high blood pressure? We spoke to a doctor to find out.
People often think of high blood pressure as a condition that mainly affects men, but this isnt entirely accurate. While men generally have higher blood pressure than women at similar ages, post-menopause, blood pressure rises more steeply in women. And according to the American Heart Association , females account for almost 52% of deaths resulting from high blood pressure.
Some health practitioners put this down to hormonal changes, but various factors can affect blood pressure. While the best menopause supplements might help you combat certain symptoms, like low libido, they wont help with serious hypertension problems.
We spoke to a doctor, to unpack exactly how menopause affects this key component of your health.
Dr Ferhat Uddin is a general practitioner in the UK. She is a menopause expert and the founder of Liberty Health Clinics . Having worked in medical care for over 10 years, she has a wealth of experience diagnosing and helping patients. Her private practice focuses on helping women master the medical, psychological and nutritional aspects of menopause.
Symptoms Of High Estrogen In Men
Although its called the female hormone, a mans body also makes estrogen. A healthy balance of estrogen and testosterone is important for sexual growth and development. When these hormones become imbalanced, your sexual development and function may be affected.
Symptoms of high estrogen in men include:
- Infertility. Estrogen is partly responsible for creating healthy sperm. When estrogen levels are high, sperm levels may fall and lead to fertility issues.
- Gynecomastia. Estrogen may stimulate breast tissue growth. Men with too much estrogen may develop gynecomastia, a condition which leads to larger breasts.
- Erectile dysfunction . Men with high levels of estrogen may have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.
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How To Increase Estrogen Hormone Levels
Women suffering from symptoms of low estrogen are typically desperately searching for ways to effectively increase its levels and find lasting relief. Luckily, women do not have to endure hormonal imbalance forever as healthy estrogen levels can be achieved with a handful of simple steps.
Continue reading to learn how to increase estrogen levels with diet, wholesome habits, herbal supplements, and medications for a symptom-free life in no time!
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Follow A Balanced Diet
Cut down on refined sugars and carbohydrates and instead ensure that you are getting an adequate amount of protein, fruit, and vegetables. Incorporate healthy fats into your diet and aim to have three meals a day, including healthy snacks if you become hungry. Balancing your hormones also depends on balancing your portion sizes. Try not to let yourself get too hungry throughout the day, as this may promote overeating following the release of a hunger hormone called ghrelin.
Progesterone May Also Deliver Some Cognitive Benefits

During menopause, many people describe a fogginess in their thinking, along with some memory problems.
Theres some evidence that progesterone may protect against cognitive decline if hormone replacement therapy starts early in the menopause process.
Some researchers found that progesterone improved visual and verbal memory for people in menopause.
However, the evidence isnt clear-cut. Some studies , for example, found no protective cognitive benefit to progesterone at all.
In any case, its important to note that theres no evidence that progesterone harms your thinking abilities.
- vaginal bleeding
Progesterone isnt recommended for everyone. Talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives to progesterone if you:
- are over 60 years old
- have been menopausal for longer than 10 years
- have a personal or family history of breast cancer
- are at a higher risk for dementia, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, osteoporosis, or liver disease
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
If youâre below your ideal body weight, you may have a harder time producing enough estrogen. In turn, gaining some weight may help to resolve your associated symptoms.
If you have trouble gaining weight or maintaining a healthy weight through the foods youâre eating now, you may want to consult with a dietitian or other healthcare provider. They can help ensure youâre taking in all the nutrients and calories your body requires.
The Biggest Cause Of Low Progesterone Is Age
Low progesterone can happen for any number of reasons at any age. However, a womens estrogen and progesterone levels start dropping at differing rates around the age of 35. Estrogen goes down around 35%, while progesterone drops by up to 75%. This imbalance leads to many common symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, changes in mood, and decreasing menstrual cycles.
Scientists have yet to make a breakthrough that stops the aging process. Until that happens, we have no choice but to find other ways of dealing with the hormonal imbalances that occur as a woman ages.
The effects of low progesterone levels extend well beyond your menstrual cycle and can affect the quality of your life. Heres what you can do to get yours up naturally and get yourself back on track.
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The biggest thing you should take from this article is the importance of self-care! Whether you know you have low progesterone levels or merely suspect you are, remember that this can be mitigated with a few simple changes in lifestyle. Low progesterone is not a life-sentence, merely a bump in the road on your way to a long, healthy reproductive life. Doing what you can to keep your mind and body healthy should go a long way towards helping you achieve the results you desire.
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Take Vitamins To Increase Progesterone Levels After Menopause
For full work, the body needs all the vitamins and minerals. However, some of them are especially important for progesterone production.
The latest research works show that vitamin C enhances the production of progesterone after menopause. Sources: kiwi, wild rose, red pepper, citrus fruits, black currant, and other berries, especially sour ones.
It helps a person to relax and reduce stress. Due to this, it has a beneficial effect on the hormonal system. Sources: green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and cocoa.
Known for the ability to reduce stress and restore the functioning of the nervous system. It assists the liver to break down and excrete estrogen degradation products. According to studies, it helps lower estrogen levels and increases progesterone levels after menopause. Sources: walnut, hazelnuts, spinach, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, salmon, tuna, bananas, beef, chicken, and legumes.
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Smart Natural Ways To Boost Hormone Levels During Menopause
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Hormones are the fall guys for everything during menopause. They take the blame for many of our emotional and physical discomforts. Truth is, hormones are not the villains that we see them to be they are actually our greatest allies during menopause! However, when hormone balance goes haywire, our body goes through a roller coaster ride of symptoms!
Our hormonal system is like our biological internet. It creates a web of signals that coordinate our entire body. Hormones are the little messengers that guide organs what to do and sync every function so we can maintain our bodys internal balance.
While hormones work for our benefit, we also need to work on the delicate balance of our hormone levels!Our body produces 50+ hormones. In women, estrogen and progesterone are the main players! When we reach menopause, our ovaries slow down, and as a result, our hormone levels decrease. In addition, testosterone, serotonin, thyroid hormone and cortisol levels also drop. These hormonal changes can cause a ripple of discomforts during menopause.
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Does Taking Ivermectin Cause Male Infertility And Sterilization
Another large study of hormone therapy, the Danish Osteoporosis Prevention Study , also halted its efforts after the 2002 report from the WHI. However, those women had already been in the study for 11 years at that point, and the Danish scientists continued to follow them for up to 16 years. They reported their findings in 2012, and the results were quite the opposite of what the WHI had found. Ill just quote them because their findings are so stark:
After 10 years of randomised treatment, women receiving hormone replacement therapy early after menopause had a significantly reduced risk of mortality, heart failure, or myocardial infarction, without any apparent increase in risk of cancer, venous thromboembolism, or stroke.
These benefits were confirmed in 2020, when a long-term followup of the women from the original WHI study found that women who took estrogen-only had lower rates of breast cancer than women who did not.
The message now seems pretty clear: despite the hasty, scary announcements made by the Womens Health Initiative back in 2002, the accumulation of evidence suggests that estrogen-only hormone therapy for post-menopausal women is likely to convey a range of highly significant health benefits, not only for breast cancer, but also for osteoporosis and heart disease. The benefits vary by age, and by whether or not women have had hysterectomies, but the overly simplistic idea that hormone therapy causes breast cancer is simply wrong.
Symptoms Of Low Estrogen
Estrogen plays a critical role in your reproductive health, but its also important for bone health and the production of mood-stabilizing hormones.
The most common reason for low estrogen is perimenopause, the natural transition to menopause.
This usually occurs in women in their 40s, though it can vary. During this time, your body may have sudden surges and production, which can cause symptoms including:
-
changes in metabolism
If you notice symptoms, consult a doctor before making changes to your diet and lifestyle.
They may recommend hormone replacement therapy . Studies have found that HRT is safe for many but not all women.
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Who Shouldnt Take Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is not usually recommended if you:
- Have or had breast cancer or endometrial cancer.
- Have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Less common side effects of hormone therapy include:
- Fluid retention.
- Increased breast density making mammogram interpretation more difficult.
- Skin irritation under estrogen patch.
How Can I Increase My Estrogen Naturally

Foods and supplements that contain ingredients similar to estrogen may help boost your levels. Speak to your provider before starting any regimen to increase your estrogen.
Foods that contain phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are plant-based estrogens. Some studies suggest that eating foods that contain phytoestrogens helps with menopause symptoms like hot flashes. Some phytoestrogens may help promote heart health, bone health and skin elasticity. More research is needed to know for sure.
Foods that contain phytoestrogens include:
Supplements that contain phytoestrogens
The FDA doesnt regulate the safety and effectiveness of supplements, so its important to check with your provider before taking supplements. Some supplements contain phytoestrogens similar to the ones found in foods and may help manage symptoms associated with low estrogen:
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What If These Natural Remedies Dont Work
Implementing some of these strategies may be able to resolve your estrogen imbalance.
If you donât notice any improvement, you may want to consult with your healthcare provider about HRT. A low-dose HRT treatment may be able to balance your hormones faster and more effectively than natural remedies.
In either case, it may benefit you to gain clarity on your hormone levels so that you can track your progress. You can conveniently do so from home with an at-home health test or your healthcare provider may order one in the office.
Support The Adrenal System With Herbs Roots And More
Consider a hormone balancing diet that includes naturally calming herbs, adaptogen mushrooms, and relaxing root extracts. Some options:
- Licorice root: could help manage cortisol.
- Curcumin: one of the benefits of turmeric is that it may lower anxiety and treat depression.
- Valerian root: a natural sleep and relaxation aid.
- Reishi and Cordyceps mushrooms: both adaptogens that naturally manage stress and energy expenditure.
- Rhodiola: An adaptogenic herb that may reduce cortisol levels.
- Ashwagandha: another adaptogenic herb with calming effects.
- Holy basil leaf: not the regular basil, also known as tulsi or Ocimum sanctum L its been linked to neuroprotective, cognition-enhancing and stress-relieving effects
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How Do Phytoestrogens Affect Your Health
Phytoestrogens have a similar chemical structure to that of estrogen and may mimic its hormonal actions.
Phytoestrogens attach to estrogen receptors in your cells, potentially affecting the function of estrogen throughout your body .
However, not all phytoestrogens function in the same way.
Phytoestrogens have been shown to have both estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. This means that, while some phytoestrogens have estrogen-like effects and increase estrogen levels in your body, others block its effects and decrease estrogen levels .
Because of their complex actions, phytoestrogens are one of the most controversial topics in nutrition and health.
While some researchers have raised concerns that a high intake of phytoestrogens may cause hormonal imbalance, most evidence has linked them to positive health effects.
In fact, multiple studies have associated phytoestrogen intake with decreased cholesterol levels, improved menopausal symptoms, and a lower risk of osteoporosis and certain types of cancer, including breast cancer (
3 ).
Soy isoflavones can produce estrogen-like activity in the body by mimicking the effects of natural estrogen. They may increase or decrease blood estrogen levels .
One study found that women who took a soy protein supplement for 12 weeks experienced moderate decreases in blood estrogen levels compared with a control group.
The researchers proposed that these effects might help protect against certain types of breast cancer .
15 ).
Why Is Having Enough Estrogen Important
People with low levels of estrogen may be at a higher risk of certain health conditions, such as:
- Heart disease: Without estrogen, cholesterol starts to build up on blood vessel walls.
- Stroke: After age 55, the risk for stroke doubles every decade.
- Osteoporosis: Less estrogen causes quicker loss of bone mass.
- Urinary incontinence: Less estrogen weakens the urethra.
- Oral issues:Dry mouth is more common with low estrogen and can lead to more cavities.
- Lead poisoning: Because bones store lead that you have encountered in your lifetime, postmenopausal bone loss due to reduced estrogen levels may release lead into the bloodstream.
Discuss your individual situation with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with low estrogen. They can help you assess your potential need for estrogen supplementation.
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Why It Is Important To Keep Your Estrogen Levels
Estrogen is responsible for regulating many functions in females and is a crucial hormone in the female health journey. From puberty, through fertility and menopause, estrogen also plays an important role in reducing the risk of certain diseases and has even been shown to play a protective factor in heart health.
Are Phytoestrogens Dangerous
The health benefits of consuming phytoestrogen-rich foods likely outweigh the potential risks, so these foods can be consumed safely in moderation.
However, limited research has suggested that there may be some risks and complications associated with a high intake of phytoestrogens. These findings are mixed and inconclusive, so more research is needed in humans.
Thus, strong conclusions about the dangers of phytoestrogens should be approached with skepticism.
Potential concerns people have raised about phytoestrogens include the following:
- Infertility. While some research states phytoestrogens may harm reproductive health, the bulk of this research has been conducted on animal models, and strong human studies are lacking (
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Hrt: Benefits And Risks
Although there have been concerns raised about HRT and the potential risks to various aspects of womens health, more recently published findings show that although not entirely risk free, it remains the most effective solution for the relief of menopausal symptoms and is also effective for the prevention of osteoporosis. It may in certain age groups provide protection against heart disease.
This leaflet sets out the known facts about HRT. It summarises the results of studies regarding its safety and addresses the controversy that still surrounds it, together with current thinking about its suitability. It is written specifically for women wishing to know about HRT. Our medical advisory panel strongly recommends that you should discuss with your doctor both the benefits and the risks of HRT on an individual basis. The types of HRT available are listed below.
Why Is Estrogen Important

If you are not familiar with estrogen, it is a hormone that is essential for womens health. It plays a vital role in many parts of the body, including the cardiovascular system, brain, and bones. It also helps with mood and memory. Many scientists are trying to find ways to increase estrogen in women. Recent research has shown that simple lifestyle changes can increase estrogen and progesterone in women. Examples include exercise and eating more soy products. However, there is still not enough research on how these lifestyle changes can affect womens health. Some scientists believe that it may be a combination of all of these lifestyle changes that can increase estrogen and progesterone.
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Key Treatments To Increase Estrogen Levels During Menopause
As a woman’s body enters the transitional period of menopause, many changes take place to her hormone levels. Hormones are the chemical messengers that travel in the blood stream, instigating changes to the body during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. During a woman’s menopausal years, changes to her hormones result in an end to her periods, marking the transition from being reproductive to infertile.
Most significantly, a woman may experience a drop in estrogen levels, as her body goes through its menopausal changes. However, this drop in estrogen usually causes undesirable symptoms and side effects. Most commonly, these symptoms include: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, and night sweats.
The menopausal symptoms caused by a drop in estrogen can result in a confusing and problematic time for a woman. But there is no need for concern, as there are a number of treatments that can help boost estrogen levels, and alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Read on to discover three key treatments that can increase your estrogen levels during menopause.