The Roles Of Estrogen
Simply put, estrogen is what makes you a woman, and its the essence of your femininity.
It makes your skin supple and glowing, your eyes sparkling, your breasts full, your mind sharp and clear, and your mood uplifted and stable. It regulates your menstrual cycle and keeps you youthful.
Good stuff, right? But the fluctuation of estrogen and its excesses or deficiencies can also create a whole slew of problems for you during your menstrual cycles; and at various stages of your life.
Causes Symptoms And Treatment
Estrogen is a hormone produced in the ovaries and commonly associated with the female reproductive system. However, it is also present in small amounts in mens bodies.;Hormones are substances that regulate the activity of specific cells and organs. There are many hormones, many of which work together to release other regulatory hormones in the body.;
Estrogen is considered a sex hormone because it regulates sexual development in females.;There are also synthetic hormones used in supplementation for women with low hormone levelssuch as low estrogen.;
Hair Loss Or Dry Brittle Hair And Skin
Estrogen is a beauty hormone! Estrogen has a plumping, healing effect on the skin. It promotes collagen synthesis, wound healing and blood flow and helps to protect the skin from oxidative stress. All of these lovely effects create beautiful, glowing, collagen-rich skin. As estrogen declines after menopause, skin loses its elasticity and becomes more dry. And Im not just talking about the skin on your face and décolleté .
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Regaining Balance Is Easier Than You Think
Youd be surprised at just how quickly you are able to restore your bodys natural hormone balance with the right hormone replacement therapy.
For a consultation about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, call 480-839-4131 or fill out a consultation request form located throughout the site.;We look forward to speaking with you and seeing if Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy ;is a good option for you and your health concerns.
We serve patients in the Phoenix AZ area including Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Peoria, Glendale, Avondale, and Fountain Hills. All patients always work directly with one of our licensed physicians to ensure patient safety and confidentiality.
Menstrual Symptoms Of High Estrogen Versus Low Progesterone
When estrogen levels are too high, there may be a build-up of the uterine lining, which can cause intense, stabbing pains during period, and heavy menstrual bleeding with dark clots.
Due to the stagnation in the reproductive organs, you may feel bloated in the abdomen, have swollen and painful breasts, or experience pain one to two days before your period. ;
Since progesterone deficiency often accompanies estrogen dominance, you may experience similar symptoms if your progesterone levels are low. But the strength is likely to be weaker.
For example, you may have more of a dull pain or dragging sensation in the lower abdomen, which is often relieved by pressure or massage. The color of your menstrual blood is not as dark, and the amount of your bleeding is also less.
As you can see, though similar, the signs of estrogen dominance versus symptoms of progesterone deficiency differ in intensity and strength.
Here are a couple simple questions to ask yourself when faced with mixed signs: Do my overall symptoms suggest excess or deficiency? Do I feel robust or weak?
If you feel weak and have more of the symptoms of deficiency, you might want to focus on supporting progesterone. Review the 7 common causes of progesterone deficiency and learn how to use natural supplements to increase your progesterone production naturally.
I hope you find this post helpful. As always, please leave a comment to share your questions, thoughts and experiences.
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Youre Having Trouble Sleeping And Feel Fatigued
Yale Medicine notes that estrogen has been linked to protective effects against sleep apnea, which is a condition where your oxygen flow gets blocked as you sleep. Because your oxygen flow is blocked, you wake up a bunch of times, sometimes imperceptibly, throughout the night, meaning you’re unable to access deep, restorative sleep.
Synthetic Hormones/ Hormone Replacement Therapy
These are manufactured in a laboratory and are animal-derived . They are not molecularly the same as the hormones in your body. You can only get them with a prescription from your doctor.
Some doctors suggest using these products for short periods of time as they may increase your risk for cancer. See your doctor to find the right plan for you.
Premarin is probably the most commonly used synthetic estrogen. It is made from the urine in pregnant mares, hence the name, Pre for “pregnant” and for “mare.”
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Low Estrogen & Weight Gain
Does low estrogen lead to weight gain?
The answer is that yes, it absolutely has the potential to lead to weight gain .;
This is well established in clinical studies which show that women who enter menopause gain on average around 15 pounds .;
If you have a history of recent weight gain , you consume a lot of fat in your diet, your dietary intake of fiber is low, you consume alcohol regularly and/or you smoke, then you have a much higher risk of gaining weight.;
The best way to avoid this weight gain that is often associated with menopause is to go into menopause as healthy as possible.;
That means cleaning up your diet, avoiding gimmicky weight loss and fad diets, reducing or eliminating how much you drink and increasing your consumption of fruits and veggies.;
We don’t know exactly why low estrogen causes weight gain, but it does appear that low estrogen results in changes to how your body metabolizes and uses fat .
These changes result in an increase in total body fat and a change in the distribution of how your fat is stored.;
Women who enter menopause tend to gain more weight in general and the majority of that weight seems isolated to the stomach area.;
Because it’s far more difficult to lose weight once you have it, the best solution is to try and prevent the weight gain from occurring.;
Signs And Symptoms Of High Or Low Estrogen Levels
Men also produce estrogen, though at lower levels than women. They too experience adverse health effects when those levels fluctuate. Estradiol is the estrogen hormone typically found in men.;
Sometimes the body produces too much or too little estrogen. Men with lower estrogen levels may end up with additional belly fat and a lowered sex drive. Women with low estrogen levels typically have symptoms like:
- Fewer periods
Without treatment, women can experience various complications from low estrogen levels, like:
Osteoporosis
Estrogen prevents calcium loss, which keeps your bones strong. Without enough estrogen, a womans calcium loss often accelerates, leaving her at risk for fracturing the bones in places like the hips, legs, arms, and spine. Women may be more at risk for developing osteoporosis if they have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Consume excessive amounts of alcohol
- Smoke
- Have a thin or petite frame
Heart disease
Estrogen helps protect the heart from disease, potentially by maintaining higher levels of good cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein , in your blood. Lower estrogen levels, especially during menopause, can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
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The Symptoms Of Low Estrogen Levels Are Similar To Low T Symptoms
Weve mentioned the similarity between symptoms of low estrogen levels and low testosterone levels a couple of times already, so well just come out here and say it.
The symptoms of each condition are very similar and can be hard to tell apart.
As a man, you might think that youre more likely to suffer from the effects of low T than you are from low E. However, the chances of the two problems often occurring together are in fact quite high.
Its sometimes a little difficult to tell what is causing which symptoms, but dont worry its absolutely possible to cure both.
If youre in need of assistance with either condition, talk to Mantality. Were male wellness specialists, working to make sure hormone disbalances dont affect your quality of life. We want to help you balance things out.
Contact us for a consultation in St. Louis, MO, Omaha, NE, Milwaukee, WI, or Des Moines, IA.
Increase strength, shake fatigue, sleep better and lose weight with Mantality Health!
Current Locations
- 230 S 68th Street, Ste 1201West Des Moines, IA 50266 608-8030
- 11704 W Center Rd, Ste 103AOmaha, NE 68144 281-9418
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Current Locations
- 124 Chesterfield Towne CenterChesterfield, MO 63005 858-5604
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Surprising Facts About Estrogen Dominance
Although youve probably heard of estrogen dominance, you may not know much about it. What causes it, the symptoms it creates, and the age at which you could experience it may surprise you.
To help you better understand estrogen dominance, here is a list of 6 interesting facts about it. If you believe you are dealing with estrogen dominance, schedule an appointment to discuss it with one of your doctors. As not all doctors feel strongly that estrogen dominance is a valid diagnosis, dont feel discouraged if you need to seek a second opinion.
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Develop An Exercise Routine
Believe it or not, getting regular exercise can aid in correcting hormonal imbalances. Light to moderate exercise is healthy for hormone levels, and has been linked to decreased risk of developing breast cancer. For women with low levels of body fat , it may be worthwhile to consult a doctor for alternative estrogen therapies.
Treatment + Hormone Replacement Therapy
There are two main approaches to treating low estrogen in women:
- #1. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy – This should be the preferred route . HRT refers to the use of exact copies of the hormones that you are deficient in. HRT can be given so that it is safe and effective and, if done correctly, will not increase your risk of breast cancer or other issues .
- #2. Supplements – Supplements can help reduce the symptoms associated with low estrogen. These supplements are not as effective as HRT but they can be used in conjunction with HRT or by themselves if necessary.;
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is the definitive and most effective way to treat low estrogen.;
This causes an increase in those hormones and tends to quickly reverse the symptoms associated with their decline.;
But be careful when using HRT.;
You should look for a Doctor that specializes in hormone balance to ensure that you are getting enough hormone but not too much.;
Doctors can alter the amount of estrogen that you receive , the way that you take it , the type of hormones you take and the frequency with which you take it.;
All of these variables can be controlled to help provide you with the exact amount that your body needs.;
Supplements can be added to HRT to further boost their effectiveness and they can even be used in isolation if you have a contra-indication to HRT.;
HRT can be stopped around the “normal” menopause time-frame, or it can be continued beyond that point.;
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What Causes Low Estrogen
It’s important to remember that all women will eventually suffer from low estrogen as they go through menopause.;
In addition, all women will notice a slow and steady decline in estrogen as they age and this is also unavoidable.;
These important factors cannot be changed and will always be playing some role in your estrogen level.;
In most cases, women suffering from low estrogen tend to be older but that doesn’t mean that young women can’t experience low estrogen.;
Low estrogen in young women is usually the result of some other pathological condition such as excessive exercise, severe dieting, pituitary problems and so on.;
If you are a young woman it is NEVER normal for you to experience low estrogen.;
You can find a list of potential causes of low estrogen below:;
What Influences Appetite And Weight
When Estrogen Drops, Hunger Increases
A decrease in estrogen levels during a woman’s monthly cycle may trigger mood changes in some women. Some females may reach for comfort foods that are high in fat, calories, sugar, and salt in an effort to feel better. Sadly, eating these foods backfires and makes women feel worse. Sodium increases water retention and bloating. Sugar, excess fat and calories will lead you to pack on the pounds. Falling estrogen levels also affect leptin, a hormone that inhibits hunger. Combat hormonal weight gain by adopting a healthy diet and exercise plan. Stick to lean meats, healthy fats, complex carbs, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables to help prevent PMS and encourage healthy blood sugar levels and weight loss.
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Stage : Luteal Phase = Lower Estrogen
In the second part of the cycle, the luteal phase, whenthe follicle has ruptured and the egg has been releasedâovulation has occurred. In the place where the follicle was, a new hormone producing structure forms from the walls of the follicle and is called the corpus luteum. The main function of the corpus luteum is to produce lots of progesterone, another sex hormone, but also some estradiol too .
If an egg is not fertilized and implanted, about four days before the start of the period, the corpus luteum stops producing progesterone and estradiol, and the levels of both hormones in the blood fall again. This triggers your period to start .
Low Progesterone Or High Estrogen
In this post, Ill help you make a distinction between these two common patterns of hormonal imbalances so you can get down to the bottom of your symptoms and choose the right remedies.
Heres the key:
High estrogen levels tend to manifest as signs of excess, whereas low progesterone levels are likely to produce symptoms of deficiency.
Below are some examples:
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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.
Problems With The Master Gland
The pituitary gland is a small structure located at the base of the brain. It is known as the “master gland” because it produces several hormones that affect many bodily processes and other endocrine glands. Hormones produced by the pituitary gland include prolactin, growth hormone , thyroid-stimulating hormone , luteinizing hormone , adenocorticotropin , and follicle-stimulating hormone . The pituitary gland also releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin. A pituitary gland tumor is the most common kind of pituitary disorder. They are usually benign . Sometimes these tumors secrete more or less of hormones made by the pituitary gland. Other tumors don’t secrete anything. Some pituitary tumors produce symptoms because they grow large enough to affect the functioning of the pituitary gland or surrounding brain structures.
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What Causes Brain Fog
“Brain fog” is a common complaint even though this is not a true medical term. It is a commonly reported symptom with many potential underlying causes. Women in perimenopause and after menopause report more memory complaints and difficulty concentrating than premenopausal women. Declining estrogen levels may be to blame, but other factors may play a role. Perimenopausal and post-menopausal women often have trouble sleeping and experience hot flashes and increased depression. These, in turn, may contribute to brain fog. Thyroid disease is another common cause of brain fog. See your doctor if you are experiencing brain fog so you can find out and treat the root cause. If declining estrogen levels are to blame, hormone therapy may offer some relief and restore hormonal balance.
Causes Of Low Estrogen
Low estrogen symptoms surface when the signaling pathway from the brain to the ovaries doesnt work. The malfunctioning has a few causes.
1. Excess Exercise
First of all, overexercising is one of the three contributors to a medical syndrome known as the Athletes Triad. Together with irregular eating and bone loss, it leads to low estrogen levels. Sports like figure skating, distance running, and gymnastics are responsible for this phenomenon.
2. Restricting Fat and Calories
Also, estrogens are hormones. Cholesterol forms the backbone of all hormones in the body. Since this is true, severely reducing dietary fat would hamper estrogen production. Fat levels below 22% may prevent menstrual bleeding. This research suggests that estrogen regulates the fatty tissue in cells.
3. Genetics
A womans genes may explain why she doesnt have enough estrogen. Also, medication, such as radiation and chemotherapy, may bring about low estrogen levels.
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Why Are Athletes At Risk For Low Levels Of Estrogen
Women with low body fat often do not produce sufficient amounts of sex hormones. This can be a problem for women such as athletes, models, and gymnasts. It can also be a problem for women with eating disorders. These women can experience a cessation of menstruation, known as amenorrhea. They may also develop osteoporosis — thin bones — and fractures as well as other conditions more common in older women after menopause.