Symptoms Of Low Estrogen And How To Treat It
Estrogen is the primary hormone that sets women apart from men. While men have it in small amounts, women have far more. To stay healthy and feeling good, its important to have adequate amounts of estrogen. When were low in this particular hormone, a host of irritating symptoms typically occurs. Lets take a look at 10 symptoms of low estrogen and what we can do to treat it.
What Are The Symptoms Of Low Estrogen
Similar to PMS symptoms and signs of menopause, symptoms of low estrogen can vary based on the person. According to Arumala, some of the most common symptoms of low estrogen include:
- You experience hot flashes.
- Your period is irregular or absent, and youre not on birth control.
- Your breasts feel tender.
- Youre sweating during the night.
- You experience weight gain, specifically in the belly region.
- You have insomnia.
- Youre chronically fatigued.
- Your bones are weak .
What makes these symptoms seem weird? Well, as you can see, many of them you probably wouldnt think to attribute to low estrogen. In fact, youd more likely than not assume they were the result of some other sort of imbalance or issue.
Granted, this isnt an exhaustive list, so please speak with your ob-gyn about any low estrogen concerns you may have.
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.
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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.
What Is Turner Syndrome
Turner syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an abnormality on one of your sex chromosomes. Its also called monosomy X, gonadal dysgenesis, and Bonnevie-Ullrich syndrome. Only people assigned female at birth can develop this condition.
The human body typically has 46 chromosomes that store genetic material. X and Y chromosomes determine your sex. The male sex has one X and one Y chromosome. The female sex has two X chromosomes.
Turner syndrome occurs when part or all of one of your X chromosomes is missing. This condition affects approximately 1 in 2,000 babies born female .
People with Turner syndrome can lead healthy lives, but they typically require some consistent, ongoing medical supervision to detect and treat complications.
There is no way to prevent Turner syndrome, and the cause of the genetic abnormality is unknown.
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Youre Feeling Down Or Depressed
Estrogen helps your body produce serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps boost your mood. If you have low estrogen, your serotonin is likely lower, too.
“Low estrogen can affect your mood by influencing neurochemical pathways linked to depression” says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. “Animal and human studies have shown how estrogen and progesterone affects brain regions involved in mood. Both estrogen and progesterone influence known regions in the brain.”
Estrogens connection to serotonin also explains why you might be experiencing depression. Estrogen boosts serotonin, which helps your body combat depression. So if you have low estrogen, your low serotonin levels cant stave off sad feelings.
Recognizing Thesymptoms Of Estrogen Deficiency
Because estrogen impacts many of the bodyssystems, the symptoms of estrogen deficiency can vary greatly in kind andseverity. They also typically begin gradually, are non-specific, and are easilyattributed to other causes, making it difficult for many women to identify thecause of their distress. The most common symptoms include:
Most often, these symptoms result from the natural and anticipated decline of estrogen that occurs at perimenopause and menopause. Women whose ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40, however, may be experiencing primary ovarian insufficiency , which mimics the symptoms of menopause but does not necessarily end the menstrual cycle. Other causes of estrogen deficiency include surgical removal of the ovaries , chemotherapy, eating disorders or drastic weight loss, thyroid conditions, excessive exercise, and some congenital conditions. Estrogen deficiency may also be caused by a genetic or chromosomal abnormality, and it may be secondary to disease or malfunction elsewhere in the body. Assessing your hormone levels and identifying the source of any hormone imbalance is essential to finding an appropriate solution to your symptoms.
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What Causes Low Estrogen In Women
Menopause
As mentioned above, aging is one of the most painful reasons women are low in estrogen. When a woman reaches the age of 45, the menopause period starts. And thus, the kick-off of all those symptoms of low estrogen. So the time a woman steps into the over-the-hill chapter depends on each individual. Some are early others embrace their youth until 55 or even older.
Stress
The worst thing that life gives you is stress, no doubt about it. From less sleep to more deadlines at work, entering the life of a senior accompanies loads of tension and pressure.
And you know what? Stress does take away your hormones. Research shows that psychological stress may worsen the natural estrogen decline and reduce peak levels. Physical stress, like too much exercise, is thought to be involved, too.
Lack of Nutrition
You wont find it difficult to understand that nutrition affects our hormones even when youre not a nutritionist. The foods that we consume reign over how our bodies operate in general.
Some good foods, like fruits and vegetables rich in fiber or seeds and beans, are associated with increased estrogen. Some others, so-called estrogen blockers like animal proteins or citrus fruits, may lower your estrogen.
Treatments Impacting the Ovaries
Certain Diseases or Inherited Disorders
The last culprit is suffering from specific diseases or genetic conditions.
Signs Of A Lack Of Estrogen
Drops in estrogen levels can manifest themselves in numerous ways. Whether it is individual symptoms such as joint pain, night sweats, or dry skin, or a group of symptoms that come as a cluster, the warning signs of a lack of estrogen and hormonal imbalance are always uncomfortable. A fall in estrogen levels can often be a pretty clear sign that menopause is on the way, and it is worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with what to expect. The following paragraphs have a more specific overview on the general signs of a lack of estrogen.
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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
Symptoms Of Low Estrogen In Women
In This Article:
Although people keep spreading the message that menopause is a time in life you should embrace rather than worry about, its hard to get used to those troubles due to low estrogen. But, is there a way to end the distress and lead a better life?
Learn about the ten symptoms of low estrogen that you might have and the strategies for managing the condition.
Estrogen, the fountain of youth for women, is more important than many think.
We tend to evaluate a persons health based on their physical appearance on the outside, like how lean and athletic the body is. We do this despite knowing that anything that shows externally is determined internally. Hormones, and estrogen, in particular, are those silent yet powerful factors that shape the person you are.
When you search the internet about estrogens roles in female bodies, many articles telling you how vital this hormone is will overwhelm you. For example, estrogen affects your sexual development, maintains your reproductive system, controls your menstrual cycle, and contributes to cognitive, bone, and cardiovascular health. In other words, your female characteristics and several other bodily processes rely on estrogen.
Ready for the worse part? Aging is not the only culprit of low estrogen.
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Heres What Else You Should Know
When estrogen levels are out of balance there is always an underlying reason. Estrogen NEVER just goes out of balance all by itself. There is ALWAYS something else out of balance in the body triggering the estrogen to either be used up or not made. I commonly find problems in the adrenals, GI system, and detox pathways as the main underlying causes of estrogen deficiency. This is true even for women going through perimenopause/menopause.
Hot Flashes And/or Night Sweats
These vasomotor symptoms are associated with the perimenopause or menopause time of life, however they can occur earlier in life if estrogen is abnormally low. Speak to your ND or your health care provider if you are consistently getting hot flashes or night sweats and you are younger than age 40.
P.S. If youre age 40 or above and getting bothersome hot flashes or night sweats, you should also speak to an ND. Dont suffer with these symptoms just because youre in your late 40s or 50’s and this is considered “common”! There are LOTS of ways we can soothe hormones during the perimenopause years.
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What Can I Do About Hot Flashes
Hot flashes occur from a decrease in estrogen levels. In response to this, your glands release higher amounts of other hormones that affect the brain’s thermostat, causing your body temperature to fluctuate. Hormone therapy has been shown to relieve some of the discomfort of hot flashes for many women. However, the decision to start using these hormones should be made only after you and your healthcare provider have evaluated your risk versus benefit ratio.
To learn more about women’s health, and specifically hormone therapy, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health launched the Women’s Health Initiative in 1991. The hormone trial had 2 studies: the estrogen-plus-progestin study of women with a uterus and the estrogen-alone study of women without a uterus. Both studies ended early when the research showed that hormone therapy did not help prevent heart disease and it increased risk for some medical problems. Follow-up studies found an increased risk of heart disease in women who took estrogen-plus-progestin therapy, especially those who started hormone therapy more than 10 years after menopause.
The WHI recommends that women follow the FDA advice on hormone therapy. It states that hormone therapy should not be taken to prevent heart disease.
Practical suggestions for coping with hot flashes include:
How Is Low Estrogen Treated
Women who have low levels of estrogen may benefit from hormonal treatment. Hormonal treatment is the standard for low estrogen. There are non-hormonal options to help relieve symptoms. Non-hormonal options are preferred for women at high risk for breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, or liver disease.
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Want To Know The Best Way To Test For Estrogen
It is with a saliva test, NOT a blood test. Saliva tests measure the amount of ACTIVE estrogen available to stimulate your body. Blood tests cannot do this, and this is why you can have all the symptoms of obvious hormone imbalance, but still be told you have normal hormone levels in your blood. Trust me, saliva testing is the way to go.
Signs You Might Have Low Estrogen
1. You frequently experience brain fog
Brain fog is commonly reported by women in menopause or perimenopause. Brain fog can manifest in several ways, including:
- Trouble concentrating on tasks
- Difficulty remembering things
Estrogen helps to sharpen your cognitive acuity, and low levels of estrogen prevent your focus and memory from operating at full capacity.
2. Your mental health is declining
Poor mental health can result from low estrogen levels. Since estrogen is believed to help with your neurotransmitters, low levels are associated with a risk of psychosis, schizophrenia, and worsened symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Since estrogen helps the body process stress, low estrogen levels can make stressful situations feel overwhelming.
Estrogen is associated with serotonin, which is one of your brains neurotransmitters responsible for boosting our moods. This is why women with low estrogen can suffer from depression. They can also experience strong mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and anger.
3. Youve gained weight
A drop in estrogen corresponds with a desire for comfort foods, i.e. foods high in fat, calories, sugar, and salt. Foods high in these elements can lead to weight gain and water retention. Estrogen also decreases your levels of leptin, which can act as an appetite suppressant.
4. Advanced skin aging
5. Higher frequency of UTIs
6. You arent sleeping well
These irregular sleep patterns could also correspond to the risk of developing sleep apnea.
Also Check: Symptoms Of Low Estrogen Menopause
Lesser Known Menopause Symptoms
You always knew menopause would happen. You may have even looked forward to getting rid of those bulky pads, contraceptive devices, and tampons youve been using. You expected some hot flashes and maybe a few cranky days, but assumed those probably wouldnt be much worse than getting through a long summer heat wave and then it would be all over. What you possibly didnt know is that there are countless other symptoms that science is constantly learning about regarding the menopausal process.
If youre between the ages of 40 and 65 and in some cases even a bit younger you may be suffering with those very symptoms right now. Your body begins to change several years before menopause actually takes place, during the period known as perimenopause. This is the time when periods start to become irregular, along with some other unwelcome physical and emotional developments that you never anticipated.
Signs You May Have Low Estrogen And Progesterone
22/11/2020 00:00
When women come to see me for hormone concerns, the first place we start is evaluating their menstrual cycle, PMS symptoms and period to begin to gain insight into how their female hormones are functioning. Estrogen and progesterone are the two primary hormones that influence the female cycle, but they are by no means the only ones!
When it comes to these two particular hormones, there are 3 common patterns of hormone imbalance that I see in women: low progesterone, estrogen dominance, and lastly, low estrogen AND progesterone.
This article will cover hormone pattern # 3: low estrogen and low progesterone.
Firstly, why is estrogen important for womens health?
Estrogen is the hormone that is responsible for giving females the characteristic rounded hips and breasts. Its best known for its functions in reproduction, where it promotes the development of an egg and the lining of the uterus. However, there are many other reasons why estrogen should be one of your favourite hormones. Estrogen also has the following benefits for your health:
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