Treatment For Low Estrogen
One way to prevent symptoms of low estrogen is to replenish your estrogen supply. You can increase the levels of estrogen in your body through estrogen replacement therapies. At the Center for Womens Health, our team, led by Sharon Breit, MD, diagnoses and assesses your estrogen levels and symptoms in order to prescribe the best options for your issues.
Hormone replacement therapy comes in many forms, including pills, creams, patches, and injections, and with the hormone progestin or estrogen-only. Another option is BioTe® Hormone Pellet Therapy, which contains bioidentical hormones derived from plant extracts.
For more information on how estrogen affects your body and what you can do about it, call us at the Center for Womens Health in Wichita, Kansas, or make an appointment online.
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How Can I Increase My Estrogen Levels Naturally
There are certain factors surrounding hormonal balance that are beyond our control, such as aging, prescription medications, and certain health conditions. Outside of the factors that are beyond our control, some of the steps that you can follow to promote hormonal balance also bring with them a number of important health benefits.
Visit Your Doctor For More Information
Getting your hormones tested should be the first step before trying to alter your bodys chemistry through natural remedies.
A doctor will be able to tell you where youre deficient and advise you whether or not natural remedies will be enough. Over Producing estrogen is especially problematic, as it can lead to life-threatening and debilitating diseases such as cancer.
The best advice we can give is that you know your risk and learn your bodys signs. If you think something is out of balance with your hormones, go to the doctor and get yourself tested.
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How To Naturally Decrease Estrogen Levels
04.Jun.2021
Responsible for developing and maintaining female characteristics, estrogen is one of the two main female sex hormones. Nutrition, weight, caffeine intake, and stress may play a role in altering estrogen levels, however, its important to remember that a persons hormonal health is unique to their health history and a number of other variables play a role in overall health. Therefore if you are seeking out natural ways to decrease high estrogen levels, some of the outlined methods here may be more or less effective than others.
Some lifestyle changes that can help lower estrogen levels include:
- Nutrition
- Ditch the caffeine
Best Multivitamin: Ritual Essential For Women Multivitamin 18+
“Though they do not promote estrogen production, a good quality multivitamin with vitamin D, vitamin K and boron may help with preventing the bone losses associated with low estrogen,” Ramallo says.
After menopause, and the loss of estrogen, a person’s chances of developing osteoporosis increase, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Ramallo recommends this vitamin from Ritual. It contains 2,000 IU of vitamin D, 0.7 milligrams of boron and vitamins E, B12 and K2. This multi is USP verified.
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Best Foods To Boost Estrogen
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are valued as a superfood owing to their impressive nutritional profile and umpteen health benefits. Being intrinsically rich in lignans, a group of chemical compounds that works as phytoestrogens play a vital role in decreasing the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Moreover, flax seeds contain up to 800 times more lignans than any other plant foods and the regular addition of these wonder seeds is valuable in boosting estrogen levels.
Dried Fruits
Eating a fistful of nutrient-rich dried fruits delivers you with a host of health benefits. It serves as easy to enjoy healthy snacks to keep your hunger pangs and sweet cravings at bay. They are also a powerful source of several phytoestrogens that plays a vital role in balancing hormones and boost female sexual health. Dates, prunes and dried apricots are some of the dried fruits abundant in phytoestrogens.
Garlic
The powerful flavour of garlic livens up any dish and heals some of the common health anomalies due to its renowned health benefitting properties. Both garlic and garlic oil supplements are good sources of phytoestrogens that may help reduce bone loss due to estrogen deficiency.
Sesame seeds
Supplements To Help Increase Estrogen And Help Women In Menopause
While many women suffer from too much estrogen, there are still many women who suffer from not enough estrogen.
This usually occurs in patients post-menopause who start to see the signs of low estrogen on their body.
Increased aging of the skin, increased pain during intercourse, increased risk of urinary tract infection and so on.
Many women even suffer from the more debilitating symptoms of having low estrogen such as insomnia, hot flashes, and depression that can really impact quality of life.
Using these supplements can act as a buffer to help balance estrogen levels either directly or indirectly.
While these supplements may potentially help women with low estrogen, they will not necessarily work for everyone.
In some cases, women may benefit from the use of bio-identical estrogen compounding with both estradiol and estriol.
These supplements should act as a first line therapy though due to their low-risk profiles and ease of use.
If, however, they do not work within 3-6 months it may be worth pursuing prescription options.
#1. Flaxseed
Flaxseed does NOT appear to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, however, and that should be considered if you are at high risk or have a family history of heart disease.
How to Supplement with Flaxseed
How to Use
My Recommended Brand and Product:
#2. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is another supplement that has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce the symptoms and severity of menopause .
How to Use
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Blood Estrogen Levels And Breast Cancer After Menopause
Studies have shown postmenopausal women with higher blood levels of the estrogen estradiol have an increased risk of breast cancer .
A pooled analysis of data from 9 studies found the risk of breast cancer was twice as high among women with higher levels of estradiol compared to women with lower levels .
Health care providers dont use blood estrogen levels to assess breast cancer risk. However, this measure may be useful in the future .
Certain factors may increase breast cancer risk by affecting estrogen levels.
Body weight is an important example. Estrogen is produced in fat tissue. In general, higher weight means more fat tissue and higher estrogen levels. This likely explains, at least in part, the increased breast cancer risk in women who are heavy after menopause.
Naturally Boosting Progesterone Levels
Progesterone keeps estrogen production in check. When your body isnt producing enough, you may start to notice symptoms such as insomnia, increased stress, a decreased sex drive, depression, and weight gain.
If you allow the deficiency to continue, you could suffer severe consequences in the long-run. Youll experience more painful periods, a heightened risk of breast cancer, and increased bone density loss.
Ahead are some of the ways you can naturally boost your progesterone levels while decreasing your bodys natural estrogen production, resulting in a hormone balance in your body.
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Cardiovascular & Cancer Risks
Understanding the Research
Most of the claims about the increased risk of breast cancer span from misinterpreting cellular, animal, and human studies on premenopausal women. Additional misinterpretation spans from assuming synthetic and natural are the same .
As an example of misinterpreting non-human studies, estrogen was found to activate certain cancer-causing genes , which hypothetically increase the risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer in cell culture. Other genes are thought to be involved in estrogen formation and certain pathways .
These studies are early experiments in test tubes. They help scientists understand certain pathways or chemical structures in the body, but they dont tell us anything about the actual risk of estrogen in animals or humans.
Synthetic vs. Natural Estrogens After Menopause
When it comes to misinterpreting human data, synthetic and natural estrogens are often looked at together, though their risks likely differ.
Synthetic estrogens and synthetic progestins have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, especially when compared only to synthetic estrogens .
A study of data collected over 50 years showed that synthetic estradiol+progestogen therapy in post-menopausal women was associated with an increase in breast cancer 3 years after the therapy .
Other studies looked at stroke risk.
FDA Warnings About Hormone Therapy
According to the FDA, women should not take hormone therapy for menopause if they :
In Men
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.
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Pros: Evidence For Health Benefits In Humans
Numerous epidemiological and clinical studies have now evaluated the relationship between phytoestrogen consumption and human disease outcomes, but the results have not yielded a clear picture as to whether or not these compounds have therapeutic potential . Dose, dietary composition, phytoestrogens administered, and duration of use vary considerably across epidemiological studies making them difficult to intercompare. Some feeding trials are limited by markedly small sample sizes, and several widely popularized studies were funded, at least in part, by the manufacturers of soy and soy-based supplements leading to some mistrust. Nonetheless, there is considerable public interest in the legitimacy of the claims being made regarding benefits to heart, bone, breast and menopausal symptoms. Unfortunately, the data supporting these claims are not strong in most cases, thus the degree to which phytoestrogen consumption confers meaningful health benefits remains unresolved .
Summary of the pros and cons of genistein. The illustration depicts the rat hypothalamicpituitarygonadal axis, indicating key components known to be vulnerable to disruption by genistein administration during critical windows of development. Developmental exposure to genistein can also result in abnormal development of the accessory sex glands . Artwork by Barbara Aulicino. Edited and reprinted by permission of American Scientist, magazine of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society.
Get Rid Of Bad Habits:
Bad habits influence hormonal emission in our body effectively, thus, we have to get rid of any kind of harmful habit that could hamper the hormonal balance in our system effectively. All you need to do is just eliminate them from your life instantly or gradually, in which process you are comfortable with! Here are some suggestions of harmful habits which you must get rid of, if incorporated by any, take a look-
- Regular alcohol drinking
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How Can I Reduce These Side Effects Of Hormone Therapy
In most cases, these side effects are mild and dont require you to stop your HT. If your symptoms bother you, ask your healthcare provider about adjusting either the dosage or the form of the HT to reduce the side effects. Never make changes in your medication or stop taking it without first consulting your provider.
How Long Should I Take Hormone Therapy
In general, there is no time limit to how long you can take hormone therapy. You should take the lowest dose of hormone therapy that works for you, and continue routine monitoring with your healthcare provider to reevaluate your treatment plan each year. If you develop a new medical condition while taking HT, see your provider to discuss if its still safe to continue taking HT.
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Animal Data: Abnormal Development Of The Female Reproductive Tract
Altered timing of pubertal onset and estrous cyclicity following perinatal phytoestrogen exposure has been shown by us and others in rodents . Mice or rats treated perinatally with lower doses of genistein advance the timing of vaginal opening while higher doses have no impact or delay it. Estrous cyclicity is also disrupted following developmental exposure to genistein. Mice or rats treated neonatally with genistein spend significantly longer periods of time in the estrous phase of the cycle this abnormality increases in severity with increasing dose as well as increasing age . Other investigators have shown similar estrous cycle alterations in experimental animal models including a study by Nikaido et al. which reported developmental exposure to numerous environmental estrogens, including genistein, resveratrol, zearalenone, and Bisphenol A, resulted in extended estrous cycles when the animals became adults . This is similar to mice exposed perinatally to DES further confirming the idea that developmental exposure to estrogens causes disruptions in estrous cyclicity. These abnormalities could result from organizational disruptions anywhere within the HPG axis, including the ovary. Other aspects of reproductive tract development may be vulnerable as well.
Can Vitamins Increase Estrogen
It’s a mistake to think that you can increase the estrogen in your body by popping a vitamin or two.
There are no vitamins that can increase estrogen levels, Dr. Langdon says.
Ramello agrees: “There are no foods or vitamins that can be taken and directly turn into estrogen in the body,” she says. And, she notes, “it is unlikely that a food or vitamin will correct clinically low levels .”
But that doesn’t mean taking supplements isn’t potentially helpful when it comes to easing menopause-related symptoms or alleviating other symptoms that may occur with lower levels of estrogen.
If your estrogen levels are low or if you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
While you may be able to easily get supplements without a prescription, talk to your doctor before adding them to your routine. That way, you can ensure there aren’t any negative interactions with other medications you’re taking.
Here, some of the supplements that may be helpful at easing underlying symptoms linked to low estrogen levels.
Our Picks
- Best Multivitamin: Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+
- Best Red Clover: Swanson High-Potency Red Clover Extract
- Best Soy Isoflavones: Bayer One a Day Women’s Menopause Formula
- Best Black Cohosh:Gaia Herbs Women’s Balance
- Best B Complex: New Chapter Vitamin B Complex
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Ways You Can Boost Estrogen Naturally
Estrogen and progesterone are foundational hormones for sexual and reproductive development in women. Working together, these hormones help womens sexual characteristics to mature during puberty as well as manage fertility and menstruation up to menopause.
Estrogen also keeps cholesterol under control, encourages bone health, and balances moods, heart function, and skin tissues. Low estrogen is usually a sign of the change women go through during menopause.
Symptoms can include mood swings, dry skin, trouble sleeping, irregular periods, low libido, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.
Thankfully, there are a number of reliable natural remedies to increase estrogen in the body. Either by directly creating estrogen or by replicating the effects of estrogen.
Read on, for 7 of the most natural ways to increase estrogen.
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 ).
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The Function Of Estrogen
Estrogen is the hormone that is primarily responsible for the sexual development in girls as they reach puberty age. Other functions of estrogen include:
- initiates changes in breast tissue during adolescence and pregnancy
- helps to regulate menstrual cycles
- regulates bodyweight by helping to control metabolism involved in the development and growth of healthy bone tissue
- may play a role in promoting healthy cardiovascular activity, according to the American Heart Association
Are There Natural Alternatives To Hrt
HRT is regularly prescribed to women to help manage the symptoms of the menopause.
The menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, when a womans body no longer produces enough oestrogen and progesterone to release an egg and menstrual periods come to an end. Its these fluctuations in hormone levels that can cause unpleasant symptoms like mood swings, hot flushes and joint pain.
HRT has been shown to help alleviate these symptoms by boosting the levels of female sex hormones in the body but whilst many women have found HRT helpful, it isnt suitable for everyone, and there are risks to taking it .
HRT isnt recommended for women with a history of breast cancer because oestrogen promotes the growth of breast cells. Some studies have also linked HRT to an increased risk of breast, womb and ovarian cancer, though this increased risk is small compared to many lifestyle risk factors like smoking and obesity.
So are there any natural alternatives for women who either cant undertake, or dont want to undertake, HRT?
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