Another Lethal Mechanism Of Excess Estrogen
The number one cause of death in persons over age 50 is the development of an abnormal blood clot in an artery that blocks blood flow to a critical region of the body such as the heart, lungs, or brain. Elevated estrogen predisposes people to these lethal thrombotic events.
It has been found that men admitted in hospitals with myocardial infarcts have elevated estradiol and lower testosterone levels.13 This was shown in an interesting study done on men admitted to the hospital with acute heart attacks whose levels of sex hormones were evaluated. Compared with control patients, estradiol levels in these heart attack patients were 180% higher, while bioavailable testosterone levels were nearly three times less than those of control patients.14
These findings reveal the higher heart attack incidences associated with high estrogen and low testosterone. It is possible, however, that these low levels of testosterone and high levels ofestradiol occurred in response to the heart attack itself.14
Natural And Pharmaceutical Estrogen Blockers For Men
Hormone imbalance
As men age, their testosterone levels decrease. However, testosterone that decreases too much or too quickly may result in hypogonadism. This condition, characterized by the bodys inability to produce this important hormone, can cause many symptoms, including:
- loss of libido
Your Cardiovascular Risk Increases
When you have excess estrogen, alternatively known as estrogen dominance, youre at higher risk of a stroke. A stroke happens when something like a blood clot interrupts or sharply reduces the blood supply to part of your brain. Your brain tissue then cant receive oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death, and a leading cause of disability in the US.
Your risk of stroke is higher because excess estrogen increases your chances of getting blood clots. A blood clot is called thrombosis, and it occurs when the clots block a vein or artery. The particular type of estrogen called estradiol is often found in elevated levels of someone whos had a heart attack, as well as in men who have atherosclerosis.
In other words, too much estrogen is dangerous to your cardiovascular system.
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Causes Of High Estrogen In Men
In the setting of Testosterone Replacement Therapy , we are much more likely to deal with increased estradiol levels, called hyperestrogenism.
There are many reasons why your body may be producing too much estrogen. For instance, if you suffer from obesity, your excess fat can actually start producing additional estrogen beyond what your body already produces.
While we occasionally do see elevated estrogen levels prior to starting treatment for Low T, this is most often a problem that arises because of higher testosterone levels achieved as the result of TRT thats practiced improperly, including the following poor practices:
- Your hormone levels are not being regularly or carefully measured
- Youre not receiving an aromatase inhibitor at appropriate levels
- Your medical provider isnt extremely careful about his or her methods
In these cases, much of the extra testosterone being introduced into your body can be converted into excess estradiol.
Symptoms Of High Or Low Estrogen
If your hormones are out of balance, you might start to experience some side effects. And if theyre severe, meaning theyre affecting your day-to-day functioning, you may want to contact your doctor. Since many symptoms of high and low estrogen overlap, talking with a doctor is your best bet for addressing any issues.
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Symptoms Of Too Much Estrogen In Men
Symptoms of Too Much Estrogen in Men!Hi Mark,Symptoms of Too Much Estrogen in Men!Why?Yup, fat is where it all begins and ends…Your distant ancestors, experienced none the above.Symptoms of Too Much Estrogen in Men!
What Are High Estrogen Levels In Men
Both estrogen and testosterone have a sizable role in adequate bodily function. The testosterone and estrogen levels need to be balanced to establish normal sexual function.
Estrogen is a key factor in reproduction. In men, the hormone estradiol, a form of estrogen, is particularly impactful to male sexuality.
Estradiol in men is fundamental for modulating libido, erectile function, and spermatogenesis. Estradiol synthesis is increased in areas linked to intimate function.
Estrogen receptors, including the estrogen receptor aromatase, are abundant in the testis, penis, and brain. Aromatase is the enzyme in charge of converting testosterone to estrogen. Aromatase is a vital component of aromatizing androgen levels into estrogens.
For example, in the brain, estradiol synthesis is connected to sexual arousal. When estrogen remains balanced with testosterone, the hormone can control erections, sex drive, and sperm production with age, estrogen spikes, and testosterone plummets.
So, the high estrogen and low testosterone can amplify the odds of erectile dysfunction and poor libido.
Adult men should have an estrone level of 1050 pg/ml and estradiol level of 10 to 40 pg/mL. Anything above that can lead to side effects of high estrogen in men.
Testosterone has different readings. Men with baseline testosterone thats low are less than 250 ng/dL. While those with testosterone between 250 to 400 ng/dL are in the low to the low-normal range.
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Estrogen In Men And Women
Posted July 27th, 2021
Excessive levels of estrogen can be dangerous to a womans health and, believe it or not, a mans too! Over and over these days we hear doctors and then the media tell us we need to check our hormone levels. Most of the time we think we will discover what hormones we are missing, but heres the great exception: at The Renewal Point, we are observing an epidemic in men and women who have excess estradiol levels. Estrogen imbalances, while usually considered a female problem, can be responsible for increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer in both sexes.
A current study in the Journal of American Medical Associates , found that men with the highest estradiol levels were 133% more likely to die from heart disease. In another recent study, Dr. Morgenthaler, a Harvard urologist, found that men with low testosterone levels and high estrogen levels had a 40% higher rate of prostate cancer than men with normal levels.
Why? you wonderWell, Aging men can develop too much aromatase enzyme. This aromatase enzyme converts testosterone to estrogen. Aromatase is found to be most prevalent in the skin and fat tissues just under the skin. We find this condition especially in men who use testosterone patches and gels like AndroGel, Testim gel, and Androderm patches because these are applied directly to the skin.
Double The Stroke Risk
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of age-related disability. Abnormal blood clotting in the cerebral blood vessels is the most common cause of stroke. Excess estrogen promotes abnormal blood clots.1
In a study published just last year, blood levels of estradiol were measured in a group of 2,197 men aged 71 to 93 years of age. Adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes, adiposity, cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and other characteristics were made. During the course of follow-up, men with the highest blood levels of estradiol had a2.2-fold greater risk of stroke compared with those whose estradiol levels were lower.2
This study revealed that estradiol blood levels greater than 34.1 pg/mL resulted in this more than doubling of stroke incidence. Life Extension long ago warned men to keep their estradiol levels below 30 pg/mL, and this recent stroke study clearly validates our prior recommendation.
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What Causes The Imbalance
Several factors can cause estrogen dominance in men.
- As a man ages, he produces less testosterone and estrogen levels rise.
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Exposure to xenoestrogens, or estrogens from a foreign source
Men are exposed to xenoestrogens every day from sources such as chicken, beef or pork chemicals spermicides plastics pesticides and other substances.
What Is A Normal Estradiol Level In Men
Estradiol levels are typically negligible to the point of being undetectable in kids, but the levels tend to pick up following puberty. Normal estradiol levels in adult cis men vary depending on who you ask, but they can be anywhere between 10-40 picograms per milliliter to 20-55 picograms per milliliter.
Thereâs one key thing to keep in mind when it comes to normal levels: estradiol reference ranges can differ depending on the laboratory conducting the test. This is a normal part of the lab testing processâso itâs best to interpret your estradiol test results using the reference ranges provided by the laboratory used for testing.
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What Are The Signs Of High Testosterone Levels
Known as the opposite of estrogen, testosterone is the main sex hormone in males. However, like estrogen it is found in both sexes with females producing it in small amounts. Biological males produce the majority of testosterone in the testes and a small amount from the adrenal gland. This hormone is used for development of the penis and testes, deepening of the voice during puberty, bone growth and strength, libido and production of sperms, muscle size and strength, as well as appearance and growth of facial and pubic hair .
In biological females testosterone is produced in various locations. One quarter of the hormone is produced in the ovary, a quarter is produced in the adrenal gland, and one half is produced in the peripheral tissues from the various precursors produced in the ovaries and adrenal gland . In women this hormone contributes to bone health, sex drive, fertility and menstrual health, as well as breast and vaginal health .
Signs of high testosterone levels in women could lead to problems such as acne, excessive hair growth, usually on the face, thinning hair, blood sugar problems, loss of libido, infertility, lack of or irregular menstruation, reduction in breast size, weight gain and obesity, as well as polycystic ovary syndrome .
The treatment of high testosterone in both men and women usually requires a combination of lifestyle changes and medication prescribed by a physician .
Connect With Your Doctor
Too much estrogen can cause problems for men, but so can too little testosterone. For example, youre at higher risk for developing osteoporosis if your estrogen levels are too low. The goal of estrogen blockers should never be to decrease estrogen to an unhealthy level.
Speak to a doctor if youre concerned about your estrogen level. They can carefully monitor your hormone levels with blood tests, and discuss hormone therapy options with you.
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Symptoms Of High Estrogen In Men
There are really two ways that you can experience the symptoms of high estrogen.
The first is through high estrogen which causes issues from over stimulation of estrogen receptors in your body.
The second is through the inhibition of testosterone production.
In this way, high estrogen can cause the symptoms of low testosterone while also causing problems by itself.
So men with high estrogen may suffer from multiple sets of symptoms related to high estrogen.
When it comes to identifying and diagnosing high estrogen, your symptoms are just as important than your lab results.
This means you need to have a solid understanding of how estrogen may present in your body.
#1. Symptoms associated with high estrogen in men:
- Inability to sleep
If you suffer from high estrogen you may experience some of the symptoms associated with high estrogen but also low testosterone.
Distinguishing these symptoms is particularly important if you are taking testosterone as part of a TRT program.
In this case, it’s possible to have normal serum testosterone but still experience the symptoms associated with high estrogen .
Couple these symptoms with your lab tests for optimal results.
Your Prostate Could Enlarge
When you have estrogen dominance, your prostate could start to enlarge. An enlarged prostate can be more of an annoyance than anything else: it can block your urethra and lead to problems urinating. But left untreated, it can lead to more serious issues like bladder, urinary tract, or kidney problems.
The reason your prostate – and breasts – enlarge when you have an excess of estrogen, is because estrogen is whats known as an anabolic hormone meaning, it grows things.
The underlying question becomes: why do men become estrogen dominant in the first place? After all, its not like youre knowingly ingesting estrogen.
You may be surprised at the primary reasons why your estrogen levels get too high. Lets dig in and take a closer look.
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How To Keep Estradiol Levels Down
Regular exercise is one of the surest methods to rebalance your hormones and keep your estradiol in check. Exercise may help to increase testosterone levels in both the short- and long-term. Strength training and lifting weights are believed to have a more significant effect on testosterone as increased muscle mass results in increased testosterone production, but all forms of exercise count.
Maintaining a regular workout routine can also help to reduce fat cells. This can reduce the amount of aromatase enzyme, which may then help to reduce the amount of testosterone that gets converted into the estrogen hormone.
Exercise is also a good way to manage stress and reduce cortisol levels. Along with or aside from exercise, consider other constructive methods of coping with your stress. This may include meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, having sex, or simply spending more time with friends.
You may also find it helpful to check in on your hormone balance using a simple at-home Menâs Health Test from Everlywell. This test measures estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA to provide some insight into your hormonal balance and overall health. It is also important to learn more about what are the benefits of DHEA.
Lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to manage high levels of estradiol. If hormonal issues continue to be a problem, consult your doctor to determine if there is an underlying health issue contributing to your hormonal imbalances.
What Are The Normal Levels Of Estrogen And Testosterone
According to Dr. Amin Herati, a urologist and the director of male infertility and mens health at Johns Hopkins Medicine, there is no normal level of estrogen or testosterone. Its all about balance.
Were looking for a testosterone-to-estrogen ratio, and their levels should be 15 to 1 but too little of can be devastating for guys, he says.
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Do I Need To Avoid Dairy And Soy
Short answer: No.
While some research has suggested that foods like dairy and soy could impact estrogen production and affect your hormonal balance, its not definitive. Some studies also suggest that the average persons consumption of dairy and soy is too low for this to be a risk.
However, you may want to avoid foods containing synthetic hormones. If you eat a plant-based or vegan diet that relies on soy as a source of protein, be mindful of your intake, as this could also contribute to higher estrogen levels.
If you need a specific list of foods, make sure to talk with your doctor.
What Are The Treatments For High Estrogen Level In Men
We often assume that testosterone is for men and estrogen is for women, right? But in reality, both testosterone and estrogen are present in men as well as women. Men require testosterone and a small amount of estrogen for the proper functioning of the sexual organs, bone health and muscle tone.
High estrogen or estrogen dominance can cause a wide range of health issues in men. Some of the symptoms are mood swings, low libido, prostate problems, infertility, enlarged breast tissues, etc.
If you are affected by any or all of these symptoms, it is always better to get a full hormone assessment to know the exact cause of high estrogen in your body. Once the cause is found, it will be easy for your doctor to plan a proper treatment to overcome this condition and feel better in life, again.
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Symptoms Of High Estrogen
- hormonal conditions
However, the main cause of high estrogen levels is often consumption of estrogen-containing supplements, such as workout supplements or anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids, in particular, increase the amount of androgens that may be converted into estrogen.
There is an indirect relationship many 60-year-olds have more estrogen in their body than a 30-year-old, says Herati. Male testosterone levels naturally drop 1 to 2 percent every year after age 30. By age 75, a male will have lost about 30 percent of the testosterone they had at 25.
But both testosterone and estrogen are also linked to metabolism. So as testosterone decreases, ones weight tends to increase, as the buildup of fat is linked to estrogen production, says Herati.
This is because fat tissue buildup is linked to increased production of aromatase, the enzyme that transforms testosterone into estrogen.
There are also certain tumors, like testicular tumors, that can increase the expression of the aromatase enzyme, he says.
Thats why youll hear weight loss mentioned as the first step in addressing high estrogen levels.
Being more meticulous about what youre eating and exercising regularly are going to be the best ways to trim the fat, Herati says.
Certain hormone therapies such as hCG, which helps boost testosterone in men can also increase estrogen production because they the testicles to produce more of that enzyme, he says.
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How Too Much Estrogen In Men Can Be Harmful
Even though estrogen is commonly known as a female hormone, it is also associated with men and plays an essential part in their sexual function. This includes sperm development, sex drive regulation, and erectile dysfunction.
However, theres no doubt that too much of anything, no matter how good, can never be a good thing. Have you ever come across a man thats always angry? Its not because he has too much testosterone its because hes got too much estrogen!
Too much estrogen in a man can result in weight gain, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, loss of energy, depression, and a decrease in muscle mass, and others. Now, lets look at what this has to do with the well-being or the health of a relationship.
Now, since women are taking up more make roles, men end up feeling uncomfortable, losing their confidence, and their testosterone converts to estrogen. This causes an imbalance in the body that results in the man becoming emotional, angry, passive, irritable, and flighty.
When a man faces danger and feels like he isnt powerful or confident enough to resolve a situation, turning testosterone into estrogen is likely how his body will react, resulting in the testosterone he produces getting turned into estrogen. Unfortunately, this doesnt help men in the relationship department because to be romantic they need to have ten to thirty times more of the testosterone that women produce.
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