Osteoporosis And Low Estrogen
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease that makes bones thinner, weaker, and more susceptible to fractures. Estrogen helps prevent bone loss by keeping osteoclasts – bone-absorbing cells – at a controlled amount while improving the body’s absorption and retention of calcium.
If bone degrades quicker than it is produced due to an estrogen deficiency, a woman’s chances of developing osteoporosis at some point during the menopausal transition increase.
Maintaining A Moderate Weight
Reaching or maintaining a moderate weight can improve overall health and may reduce the risk of some consequences of low estrogen, such as cardiovascular disease.
People with low estrogen due to low body weight may need support to reach a healthier weight, particularly if their low weight is the result of another health condition or an eating disorder.
How To Deal With Low Estrogen Levels
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, or suspect that your estrogen levels are low, it’s highly recommended that you go see a doctor since there are many reasons why your levels would be low and any treatment plan will be based on the causes. In addition to menopause, some causes can be stress, excessive exercise, restricted eating patterns, genetic abnormalities, anything that affects the ovaries, and/or a low-functioning pituitary gland. This is especially true if you’re experiencing some serious symptoms. “Any persistent or worsening change in menses, absence of menses for more than three months, hot flashes/night sweats or vaginal dryness interfering with quality of life should be evaluated,” Dweck says.
Below you can find some ways to regulate your estrogen levels, but it’s important to remember that treatment plans depend on your specific case, so you’ll probably need to visit a doctor to get lab work done and have your stress levels and work/life environment evaluated. “Treatment plans depend on what is specifically happening within your body,” Perrin explains. “Everyone is bio-individually made, and that applies to the reasons behind the potential low estrogen levels and the treatment that the individual would receive. Symptoms are a great starting point to begin the investigatory work for what is happening.”
Read Also: What Makes Cortisol Levels High
What Are The Symptoms Of Turner Syndrome
People assigned female at birth with Turner syndrome can exhibit certain characteristics during infancy and in childhood, as well as into adulthood.
Many of these symptoms can be vague and arent always easy to immediately connect to Turner syndrome. If you are concerned with your childs development at any stage, its a good idea to talk with their pediatrician.
Low Estrogen Symptom #: Headaches
These days, headaches are pretty common. We spend so much time on the computer with bad posture, hunched over our smartphones, or stressed out from a long commute.
So random headaches that come and go are almost expected in our modern world.
But headaches that come at certain times during your cycle could be a symptom of low estrogen.
Headaches specifically migraines are two to three times more common in women than in men. And if you thought womens fluctuating hormones might be the reason behind that statistic, youd be correct!
Estrogen, among other hormones, can actually influence neurotransmitter systems in our brain that tell us if were feeling pain or not. And when estrogen is low, that pain signaling can increase, giving us a headache.
This is why headaches are often a common symptom of PMS. Your estrogen is the lowest right before your period, which can cause headaches.
Estrogen can also influence headaches because of its impact on serotonin levels. When estrogen is low, serotonin is also likely to be low. And low serotonin levels have been shown to contribute to changes in our muscles that can cause migraine and tension headaches.
If youre someone who gets frequent headaches, especially around your the start of your period, getting checked for an estrogen deficiency is a good idea.
And if you are struggling with these hormonal headaches, my fellow womens health advocate, Dr. Jolene Brighten, wrote a great article on some natural remedies you can try.
Recommended Reading: How Old To Buy Melatonin
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Older women with low estrogen levels may benefit from hormonal therapy. At Healthy Aging Medical Centers in New Jersey, Dr. Rand offers a comprehensive Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy program that can help patients reach better balanced hormone levels as well as prevent from encountering symptoms associated with hormonal decline. Dr. Rand specializes in this type of therapy which utilizes hormones that are identical in chemical function and molecular structure to the hormones produced in the body. Bioidentical hormones are especially unique because they are easily metabolized into the body since they are synthesized from soy or yam products. Bioidentical hormones are identical to human hormones, allowing men and women to consume without dealing with negative repercussions.
About Michelle Ayazo Md
Dr. Michelle Ayazo is a board-certified family medicine physician and Obesity Medicine specialist. As a physician, Dr. Ayazos goal is to help patients find whole-body health in a way that combines medicine with healthy lifestyle habits.
In addition to helping with hormonal imbalances, Dr. Ayazo specializes in chronic disease management, functional medicine, skin health, and much more.
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to substitute professional medical advice. Every patient is different, so talk with your doctor to learn what treatment options are best for you.
Recommended Reading: When Are Cortisol Levels Highest
What Is Estrogen And Why Is It Important
Estrogens are a group of sex hormones in people with ovaries. They include estrone , estradiol , and estriol , and theyâre produced by the ovaries, the adrenal gland, and the placenta during pregnancy.
At puberty, estrogen leads to the growth of breasts, pubic and underarm hair, and kick off our menstrual cycles.
Estrogen also plays a role in keeping our cholesterol levels in check, maintaining our bone health, and producing hormones that affect our brains, hearts, and skin .
Irregular Or Disappearing Menses
Women who have low estrogen, have disrupted menstrual cycles. After all, estrogen is made in the ovaries and drives your periods. When theres insufficient estrogen, it could lead to irregular cycles. In the worst cases, your menses could stop completely . This may make it harder for a woman in her reproductive years to track fertile days and become pregnant.
Read Also: Symptoms Of High Estrogen Levels
What To Know About Low Estrogen Levels
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Low estrogen levels can be normal with aging. However, in some cases it can be caused by chronic illnesses, excessive exercise and more.
Estrogen is a hormone produced in the ovaries that controls sexual development in females. It plays a major role in the female reproductive system. It is also present in small amounts in males. A woman’s estrogen levels peak in her mid- to late-20s then decline by 50% by the time she is 50. Estrogen declines more rapidly after menopause.
This article covers the causes and symptoms of low estrogen, along with how low estrogen is diagnosed and treated.
Low Estrogen Or Estrogen Dominance
When in adequate supply, progesterone and estrogen moderate each other progesterone has a more calming effect, while estrogen has a more excitatory effect, for example. The most well-studied diseases of the female reproductive system, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and PCOS are all results of unopposed estrogen . This may also be referred to as estrogen dominance. But there are also conditions and diseases that result from a dominance of progesterone or an underproduction of estrogen.
The most commonly known of these are osteoporosis and joint pain. Other diseases you may not realize are associated with low estrogen levels include Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, type 2 diabetes, and eclampsia .
Don’t Miss: Male Non Hormonal Birth Control
Reasons For Low Estrogen
There are times when your estrogen levels fluctuate, such as during your period or when youre pregnant. But as you get older and approach menopause, your estrogen levels decline. For some, it happens earlier. Any condition that impairs the ovaries can reduce estrogen production.
Low estrogen levels can have a serious impact on your life. Fortunately, there are ways to replenish your estrogen supply so you dont have to suffer from the many life-altering symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms Of Low Estrogen
Written by Elite HRT on April 18, 2021
Camille Freking, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, MEDICAL ADVISOR
Having balanced levels of hormones can make you feel your absolute best. On the other hand, having hormone deficiency can make you feel like your body as a whole is out of balance.
When it comes to estrogen being in balance, it is most common to have levels be too low. Recognizing this can be relatively easy when you know the symptoms.
Low estrogen happens most commonly during menopause in women. In addition to recognizing the signs and symptoms, your healthcare provider can do additional testing through blood, urine, or saliva to determine your hormone levels.
Keep reading to learn more about what estrogen is, when low estrogen happens, and the key symptoms that occur with low estrogen.
Read Also: Collagen Supplements And Estrogen Positive Breast Cancer
Signs Of Low Estrogen In Women
First of all, what exactly is estrogen? For those who dont know, estrogen is a hormone commonly associated with the female body but also produced in small amounts in men. Hormones play important roles in regulating activity of specific cells and organs as well as maintaining your overall health. If you feel that you may have low estrogen, keep reading. Well be discussing what estrogen does, common causes, common risk factors, as well as treatments and solutions for women with low estrogen.
When To See A Doctor
If you notice signs and symptoms of low estrogen, you should contact your doctor to discuss whats happening. You can discuss with your doctor if there are blood tests recommended to check your overall health. Make sure you are up to date on your Pap smear test, which checks for cervical cancer.
- Youve missed a period or more: This could be a sign of pregnancy or the result of certain medications, an underlying illness, or perimenopause.
- Youve not had a period for a year and start bleeding or spotting: In women who have gone through menopause, spotting or light bleeding could be caused by endometrial cancer or other serious health problems.
- You are 16 or older and have not started menstruating: This could be a sign of delayed puberty due to hormonal imbalance.
- You think you may have an eating disorder: Eating disorders can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. They can cause deficiencies that can compromise estrogen production.
- You are feeling overwhelming sadness or having suicidal thoughts: Reach out to a mental health professional to get the help and support you deserve, and talk to your doctor about possible treatment options.
Recommended Reading: Symptoms Of Low Estrogen Menopause
How To Boost Your Estrogen Levels Naturally
Natural remedies may be the best solution. Heres how to overcome low estrogen levels and the accompanying symptoms without medication.
1. Avoid Hormone Disruptors
First of all, avoid anything that interferes with your hormones working. These include oral contraceptives, hormone-based pills, and hormone creams. Other include plastics, makeup, and personal hygiene products that may cause low estrogen levels too. Also, drink lots of water. You should take in at least half your body weight of water daily. Add lime to improve its detoxifying effects.
3. Keep to an anti-inflammatory diet
Grains, processed foods, and bad fats heighten inflammation. Eat non-starchy veggies, organic foods, and non-glycemic fruit, e.g., berries, grapefruit, and apples to balance your estrogen levels.
4. Fast intermittently
Fast on liquids for at least 16-24 hours a day to detoxify yourself. Doing this opens up the skins pores and other detoxification pathways.
5. Get Moving
Exercise improves your breathing. It also mobilizes your fat stores. Working out gets your toxins circulating and overcomes low estrogen symptoms.
6. Drink Green Juice
Vegetable juice has lots of chlorophyll and phytonutrients that will boost estrogen.
7. Essential Oils
An essential oil diffuser can improve your detoxification and balance your hormones.
8. Enjoy a sauna bath
A sauna is an excellent way to boost estrogen and therefore, open detoxification paths in the body.
9. Try oil pulling
10. Improve your digestion
disclaimer
Signs Your Estrogen Levels Are Lowand What To Do About It
You might already know this, but hormones are essential to how your body functions. According to the Hormone Health Network , hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. They’re sent out by the endocrine system to tell your tissues and organs how to work. And they affect many different processes: Growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, and mood.
When your hormone levels are unbalanced, you might feel the effects of it in your daily life. One hormone that can be in flux for women is estrogen. “Estrogen is an essential hormone that is used in a variety of different ways within the body,” explains Amanda Perrin, MS, RDN, a health coach at Parsley Health. “It is most known for its role in reproductive health, but it does so much more. Estrogen also plays a role in bone health and development, heart health, cognitive function, and weight maintenance.”
It’s natural to experience low estrogen levels during menopause, in which case the symptoms of menopause can be managed, says Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG, Intimina’s sexual and reproductive health expert. If you’re not going through menopause, some signs of low estrogen include vaginal dryness and painful sex.
Along with those symptoms, Jill Bauman, an integrative nutrition health coach, says that having low estrogen levels may increase a woman’s risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and obesity.
You May Like: Natural Estrogen Replacement After Hysterectomy
How To Correct Low Estrogen
You now know that having low estrogen affects our bodies far beyond just reproductive health.
But if youre suffering from symptoms of low estrogen, youre not doomed to living like this forever!
Working with a qualified medical professional who has experience in womens health is the best way to correct any hormonal imbalances.
In the meantime, there are some general lifestyle corrections that you can start to make. These changes will benefit you whether you have low estrogen or not.
How Estrogen Levels Affect Your Body
Having consistently low levels of estrogen can affect your reproductive system as well as other systems in your body.
Estrogen is the hormone that’s mainly responsible for sexual development in girls as they reach puberty. Some of its other functions include:
The type of HRT therapy, the mode of administration, and the dosage that you are prescribed depend on many factors. These include the underlying cause, severity, and symptoms of your low estrogen.
Basic facts about HRT include:
Recommended Reading: Does L Theanine Lower Cortisol
The Trouble Is Your Hormones Not Your Head
The symptoms above are all signs of progesterone and estrogen imbalance. How many have you experienced? How many are robbing you of lifes joys and make you wonder if you are crazy or losing your mind? Do you feel alone in dealing with these symptoms? You’re not! Many other women experience estrogen and progesterone disruptors through menopause and are taking action to replace these vital hormones.
How Does Low Estrogen Affect The Body Of A Man Or Amab Person
People assigned male at birth with too much estrogen may experience sexual dysfunction. Still, they need some estrogen for their reproductive health and overall health. Research has shown that low estrogen levels may cause:
- Reduced sex drive.
- Bone loss and osteoporosis.
For transgender women or nonbinary people with penises, low estrogen levels may prevent their bodies from having the physical appearance theyd like. If this is the case, feminizing hormone therapy may be an option. This treatment involves taking estrogen to develop secondary sex characteristics like softer facial features, less body hair, breasts and hips.
Also Check: Signs Of High Cortisol At Night
Questions Talk To A Doctor Today
If youre concerned about your estrogen levels or just want to talk to an expert about your symptoms, its time to see a doctor.
Dade City and Wesley Chapel patients can with Dr. Ayazo or call . No matter your health concerns, Dr. Ayazo is here to answer your questions and work with you on a personalized plan to help you start feeling better.
What You Can Do About It
If you think you might have low estrogen, the first thing to do is talk to your doctor. They can test your hormone levels to make sure this is the case. Then they can work with you to figure out why this might be happening so you can get the correct treatment.
“If you have symptoms of low estrogen, you shouldn’t tough it out. There’s help for you!” Dr. Eyvazzadeh says. “And if you don’t have a doctor that is listening and paying attention to your symptoms then find another one. A gynecologist should be able to help with symptoms of low estrogen.”
It’s important, though, to rule out menopause as a factor. “If you suspect premature menopause, you do want to see your gynecologist, because women with premature menopause need to be on hormonal therapy,” says Dr. Minkin. “The rate of premature menopause is high enough that everyone should know how to check for it and the symptoms,” says Dr. Eyvazzadeh.
Having low estrogen isnt immediately dangerous per se but it definitely affects your bodys performance on a number of levels. If youve read the symptoms and think your estrogen might be low, talk to your doctor about getting your levels tested. Your doctor can help you get your levels, and your life, back on track.
Studies Cited
Experts
Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine
Recommended Reading: All Natural Sleep Aid Without Melatonin