Youre Getting Frequent Headaches
It’s a known fact that people with uteruses are more likely to get headaches and migraines overall the hormonal reasons why this is aren’t super well understood, but fluctuations in estrogen levels are one potential reason. You might notice that you get headaches during your luteal phase, right before your period starts, when your estrogen is at its lowest during your cycle. If your estrogen is low throughout your cycle, it could lead to more headaches, but it’s important to check with a doctor to make sure your headaches don’t have another, potentially more serious cause.
Symptoms Of High Estrogen Levels In Men
Here are some of the main symptoms of high estrogen levels in men:
- Infertility. Estrogen is one of the hormones your body uses to produce sperm. High estrogen levels can slow down sperm production and make it harder to create healthy sperm.
- Gynecomastia. Increased estrogen can cause more breast tissue to develop than normal. High levels can lead to the development of a condition called gynecomastia. This happens when the amount of breast fat tissue is abnormally high.
- Erectile dysfunction . Increased estrogen levels can affect the balance of hormones that are needed to help get an erection and stay erect. This is especially true if you also experience low testosterone.
- . Too much estrogen can result in short stature or delayed puberty in boys.
- Epiphyseal closure. This can happen in adolescents with high estrogen, causing boys to have short stature.
Other possible symptoms of high estrogen that may happen along with other hormone imbalances include:
- reduced sex drive
Irregular Periods Or Anovulation
Estrogen plays a vital role in ovulation.
Its actually your rising estrogen levels that trigger Luteinizing Hormone to be secreted from the pituitary gland, causing an egg to be released from the follicle .
If your levels of estrogen dont rise enough during the follicular phase of your cycle, it can cause a delay in ovulation or prevent it completely.
You May Like: My Dog Ate Melatonin Gummies
How Is Low Estrogen Diagnosed
Diagnosis and treatment of low estrogen can help prevent many health issues.
If youre experiencing symptoms of low estrogen, talk with your doctor. They can assess your symptoms and make a diagnosis if needed. Early diagnosis may help prevent further complications.
During your appointment, your doctor will discuss your family health history and assess your symptoms. Theyll also perform a physical exam. Blood tests will likely be needed to measure your hormone levels.
Your follicle stimulating hormone levels may also be tested to determine whether your estrogen is low if youre experiencing:
- frequently missed periods
Why Is There A Difference Between The Ideal Ranges And The Lab Range
Lab ranges are just averages of the population that the lab measures. They are not necessarily a reflection of what is ideal for a particular hormone. Also, the lab range for women encompasses the entire follicular phase, which is day 1 of your period to ovulation. My ideal level is specifically for day 3 or mid-cycle.
Also Check: What To Do If Melatonin Doesn’t Work
How The Wrong Levels Of Hormones Can Throw Your Entire Body Off Balance
Low amounts of estrogen can affect many of your bodys systems. By recognizing the symptoms of low estrogen, you can take steps to correct this hormonal imbalance.
Here are some low estrogen symptoms to watch for if you are concerned about your bodys hormonal balance.
Low Estrogen Symptom #: Night Sweats
Night sweats are a classic symptom of perimenopause and menopause. And is one that so many women dread, for good reason.
Waking up at night drenched in sweat for seemingly no reason is never a fun experience. And is thankfully one that, if youre not in the throes of menopause, can usually be resolved!
These periods of intense sweating are related to a drop in estrogen levels, and your bodys attempt to regulate what it senses as being too hot.
Sweating at night can be traced back to estrogens effects on your perception of body temperature.
Your body has a range of temperatures at which it can comfortably maintain its own core temperature. This is known as the thermoneutral zone and is regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain.
When the brain senses that your body is outside that thermoneutral zone, it relies on other means to maintain its internal temperature. One of those being reducing its temperature by drenching you in sweat!
At this point, you may be wondering how any of this is related to low estrogen.
Estrogen has binding sites in the brain, and when your estrogen is low, those receptor sites become increasingly sensitive. This increased sensitivity results in a narrowing of the thermoneutral zone. This can trick the body into thinking its too hot when it actually isnt.
Low estrogen levels actually make our bodies think that theyre warmer than they actually are. This is why you can wake up sweating for seemingly no apparent reason.
Estrogen and Blood Vessels
Read Also: What Hormones Are In Birth Control
What Does It Mean To Have Low Estrogen
Estrogen is an important hormone that spurs your sexual development and helps maintain your reproductive system. It plays an essential role in other body systems, too. Estrogen levels rise and fall throughout your life, often in sync with other hormones that control important body processes, like your menstrual cycle. The ever-changing highs and lows associated with estrogen levels are normal.
Having estrogen levels that are consistently low is different. Consistently low estrogen may mean that youre going through a natural change, like menopause. Sometimes, low estrogen is a sign of a condition that slows your sexual development, which can make it harder to become pregnant.
How To Increase Estrogen With The Help Of Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is a prevalent treatment to increase estrogen levels during menopause and postmenopause. The therapy involves taking synthetic estrogen to restore hormone levels to within normal ranges.
Usually, there are two HT types, estrogen/progestin hormone therapy, and estrogen therapy.
The FDA has only approved a few reasons to use hormone replacement therapy for body-wide therapy. These hot flashes and low bone mineral density.
On the other hand, vaginal estrogen is used to help with painful sex and vaginal dryness.
Estrogen therapy will involve using only estrogen without progesterone. Most often, providers will prescribe this therapy type after undergoing a hysterectomy.
Estrogen progesterone/progestin EPT therapy is mostly prescribed for patients who still have a uterus to balance out overall hormonal levels and to lover side effects and potential combinations.
Hormone replacement therapy can be an effective treatment to restore estrogen levels however, patients should always discuss the involved risks and benefits with their healthcare providers before making a decision.
Also Check: The Testosterone Revolution Mens Health
How To Increase Estrogen Naturally
Diet and lifestyle changes can often help fix hormonal imbalances. Consult with your doctor and try:
- Maintaining a healthy weight: being underweight can lower hormone levels, so consult with your doctor about and create a healthy meal plan.
- Exercise: Moderation is the key. Overexercising can also lead to low estrogen levels, so try to avoid overdoing it.
- Reducing Stress: Stress hormones can also cause hormonal imbalances in the reproductive system. Effective stress management can help with keeping hormone levels in check and can boost overall well-being as well.
- Sleep more: Aim at getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night to help you recharge your body and hormone levels.
Estrogen And Gut Health In Women
There are trillions of bacteria and other organisms living in your gut, and together they make up your gut microbiome.
Having a healthy gut microbiome with a variety of beneficial bacteria is important for overall health and has been associated with lower risk of heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, overweight, and type 2 diabetes.
Studies suggest the changes that happen through menopause, including decreased levels of estrogen, may be linked to changes in the makeup of your microbiome.
Unpublished research by ZOE scientists also found that womens post-meal blood fat and blood sugar responses change significantly during menopause.
ZOEs PREDICT program, the worlds largest in-depth study of nutrition and menopause, looks at the relationship between your gut microbiome, your health, and how your body responds to food. And its shown us that everyone is different.
Our at-home test analyzes the makeup of your unique gut microbiome, together with your blood fat and blood sugar. Based on your results, you receive personalized nutrition advice to help you find the best foods for your body.
Take our free quiz to find out how ZOE can help you.
Don’t Miss: Does Estrogen Give You Energy
What Happens When Testosterone Levels Rise Or Fall
If your body produces too much testosterone, you may have irregular or absent menstrual periods. You may also have more body hair than the average woman. Some women with high testosterone levels develop frontal balding. Other possible effects include acne, an enlarged clitoris, increased muscle mass, and deepening of voice.
High levels of testosterone can also lead to infertility and are commonly seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome . PCOS is an endocrine condition that is sometimes seen in women of childbearing age who have difficulty getting pregnant. Women with PCOS have symptoms similar to those produced by high testosterone levels. They include:
As women with PCOS age, the presence of these risk factors increases their risk for heart disease.
By the time of menopause, women have experienced a decline in testosterone since their 20âs that does not decrease further.â That decline may be correlated to a reduced libido. Some findings indicate that testosterone replacement therapy may benefit sexual function in certain perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Testosterone replacement is unadvised in women with breast or uterine cancer. It also may increase the chances of cardiovascular disease or liver disease. So, experts are cautious about recommendations.
The Bottom Line On Low Estrogen
Symptoms of low estrogen are becoming increasingly common in young, pre-menopausal women.
Everything from night sweats, depression, vaginal dryness, headaches, and irregular periods can be traced back to low estrogen.
And because estrogen is responsible for far more than just regulating our periods and enabling us to get pregnant, it makes sense that the symptoms of low estrogen would be far-reaching.
Overcoming low estrogen and reducing your symptoms is possible.
Working with a qualified practitioner who can help you determine your estrogen levels and how to correct hormonal imbalances is key to getting the best results.
You can also work on other lifestyle factors such as reducing your intense training, eating more, managing your stress, and upping your carb and/or fat intake.
All of these seemingly simple changes can be the building blocks for reversing low estrogen and fully healing your hormones.
After reading this post, do you think low estrogen could be a cause of your symptoms? What are some lifestyle changes you plan to make to reduce some stress in your life? Let me know in the comments!
Read Also: Vitamins To Reduce Cortisol Levels
What To Do For Postmenopausal Women At Age 60
An improved diet rich in phytoestrogens and the three macronutrients lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats is key for postmenopausal nutrition. Also, aging women should aim for regular, weight-bearing exercise to encourage optimal muscle mass and weight as well as practicing wholesome habits for endocrine health. Alternative medicine.
How Is Turner Syndrome Diagnosed
Prenatal genetic testing done before birth can help a doctor diagnose Turner syndrome. The condition is identified through a laboratory procedure called karyotyping. When performed during prenatal testing, karyotyping can detect if the mothers chromosomes have any genetic abnormalities.
Your doctor may also order tests to look for the physical symptoms of Turner syndrome. These tests may include:
- blood tests to check sex hormone levels
- echocardiogram to examine for heart defects
Also Check: Dim Plus Estrogen Metabolism Reviews
What Causes High Estrogen
There are two main factors that will drive higher than normal levels of estrogen:
Insulin
The enzyme that makes it, aromatase, works faster when there are higher levels of insulin in your blood. What causes higher levels of insulin is a higher intake of high glycemic index starches and sugars. So, in order to correct this, we look to reduce the intake of these foods.
Liver detoxification
Its your livers job to remove estrogen. It does this through a series of steps known as phase I and phase II liver detoxification. These steps are dependent on a number of co-factors for them to work normally. These include pyridoxal-5-phosphate, vitamin B12, methyltetrahydrofolate , magnesium, indole-3-carbinol, and calcium-d-glucarate.
Eating more leafy greens and vegetables like kale and broccoli supplies these. Otherwise, they can be taken in supplement form to assist efficient liver detoxification of hormones.
Healthy estrogen levels are vital for both men and women. If the levels are either low or high, there are natural medicine strategies to restore healthy hormone balance.
The Symptoms Of Low Estrogen Levels In Men
Experiencing a fluctuation in estrogen levels? Make sure you have the most current info. Read on to learn all about the symptoms of low estrogen levels in men.
Are you a man experiencing the symptoms of low estrogen levels?
As a male, you may not have realized before that your body produces estrogen. You may be more familiar with testosterone, which is the hormone most associated with the male sex.
Healthy levels of testosterone are important, as there a number of benefits for men, including protection from autoimmune diseases.
However, estrogen is equally important for men it needs to balance out right with your testosterone levels. This is the hormone most associated with the female sex, but both sexes have a mix of both in their bodies.
Here, we describe the symptoms of low estrogen levels in men, so that you know what to look out for which could indicate a problem.
Recommended Reading: Treatment For Low Cortisol Level
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.
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.
Don’t Miss: Para Que Es Buena La Melatonina
Risk Factors For Developing Low Estrogen
Risk factors for low estrogen can be genetic or affected by lifestyle factors. Genetic predispositions toward early menopause, for example, are hereditary. Meanwhile, some hormonal imbalances like PCOS may be related to both family history and lifestyle factors.
In the case of PCOS, dietary changes, exercise, and stress management can help rebalance hormones. But you may still deal with some symptoms of the condition. If you have a medical issue like painful endometriosis that ends up requiring a hysterectomy , it will likely affect your hormone levels . Other factors that could lead to a reduction in estrogen production and a potential hormone imbalance include :
- Excessive or compulsive exercise
- Malfunctioning pituitary gland
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:
Read Also: What Hormones Affect Hair Loss
Youre Getting Hot Flashes And Night Sweats
Youve probably heard of these symptoms through menopause. These really annoying symptoms occur during perimenopause , but they can also occur at other times when your estrogen is low. People can “start having perimenopausal symptoms in their late 30s,” Dr. Minkin says, so it’s not something to rule out.
Hot flashes and night sweats happen because low estrogen messes with your hypothalamus, the part of your brain that controls your body temperature, among other things. When you dont have enough estrogen, your body is tricked by this part of your brain to think its too hot. In an attempt to get rid of the fake excess heat, your body expends heat in a hot flash opening the blood vessels in your head and neck skin more than usual. These may be another reason why youre having trouble sleeping because its hard to sleep when your body is on a temperature rollercoaster.