Estradiol: What You Need To Know About The Strongest Estrogen Hormone
You hear about estrogen a lot, but did you know that there are actually three estrogen hormones that are naturally produced by the body. The strongest of the three is estradiol, which plays a major role in reproductive health.
This estrogen hormone plays a vital role in reproductive health and is the key player in the menstrual cycle and menopause. The key to optimal health is maintaining healthy estradiol levels.
This can be difficult for people who consume high-estrogen foods, take certain medications or have a health condition that impacts their reproductive hormones.
In a nutshell, if you want to stay in tune with your reproductive health or think that your hormone levels arent properly balanced, read up on estradiol and the important role it plays in both male and female health.
What Is High Or Low Estrogen Levels
Estrogen is a naturally occurring hormone that your body produces to aid in sexual development and other important body functions. Prior to menopause, women generate estrogen primarily from their ovaries. After that, most of their estrogen comes from fat cells and the adrenal glands found at the top of the kidneys. When estrogen levels get too high or too low, this can negatively affect the body.
Estrogen helps regulate the health of the following areas:
- Urinary tract
- Mucous membranes
- Brain
Estrogen plays an essential role in girls when they reach puberty, prompting changes like the growth of pubic hair and the start of menstruation. It also helps control cholesterol in the blood. Three of the most common types of estrogen produced in women include:
Estrone;
Estrone is the main estrogen hormone produced by women after they hit menopause.
Estradiol;
Estradiol is the primary estrogen hormone produced by non-pregnant women.
Estriol;
Estriol is an estrogen hormone whose levels increase in pregnant women.
Symptoms Of Too Much Estrogen
Dr. Katharina Dalton of the U.K., a leading specialist who first used the term “premenstrual syndrome” defines it as the presence of recurrent symptoms before menstruation with the complete absence of symptoms after menstruation.PMS differs from all other disorders because the diagnosis does not depend on the type of symptoms you suffer from, but when your symptoms appear and disappear.
Doctors have identified at least 150 symptoms that occur in PMS, but fortunately, because all of us are different, no one has all of them! Among the most common are bloating, headache, backaches, severe grouchiness, depression, breast tenderness, loss of libido and fatigue.Do these symptoms sound familiar? They are symptoms of estrogen dominance!If you suffer from PMS every month, you are probably estrogen dominant. Either your estrogen levels are too high or your progesterone levels are too low, which has the very same effect because progesterone offsets the effects of estrogen. Your menstrual cycle, if your hormones were in balance, should sneak up on you with very few, if any, symptoms.
Estrogen levels also sky rocket when you are pregnant.
Dr. Shalaka Samant, PhD says…
1. Vaginal colonization by bacteria and yeast. Galask, Rudolph P. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 158, Issue 4, 993 – 995. April 19882. Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015 Jun;17:462. doi: 10.1007/s11908-015-0462-0. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25916994
Read Also: Where To Apply Bioidentical Hormone Cream
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
- fatigue
Reducing Aromatase Enzyme Activity
We have already discussed a couple of ways to reduce aromatase enzyme activity like decreasing body fat, reducing insulin resistance, and increasing the intake of phytoestrogens.
Another way to reduce the aromatase enzyme is by supplementing with the following nutrients:
- Zinc
- Selenium;
- Magnesium
Zinc is the number one inhibitor and commonly a nutrient that is deficient in men and women. It is recommended to take 20 – 50 mg of zinc a day, depending on the person.
In order to prevent any possible side effects, it is better to consult a functional medicine doctor or naturopath regarding the dosage of selenium, magnesium, and zinc per day.
Don’t Miss: How Much Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Cost
What To Do About Too Much Estrogen
- Quit birth control. Talk to your functional medicine doctor about non-hormonal birth control options.
- Swap out your personal care products. There are non-toxic versions of just about everything nowadays, and they perform just as well or better than the nasty stuff.
- Choose organic. It might be tough to go all organic, all the time, but you can at least opt for organic meats and choose organic of the most high-residue foods.
- Filter your water. Obviously, you cant forgo water. A high-quality filter is an expense up-front but will pay for itself if you were buying bottled water, not to mention medical costs down the road.
- Talk to your doc about stomach acid. Functional or integrative medicine doctors do stomach acid better. Conventional medicine doctors will prescribe you things that will make problems worse if your acid is too low.
- Reduce toxic load and support detox pathways. Natural herbs and supplements like milk thistle, dandelion root tea, dandelion greens, glutathione, and calcium d-glucarate support the liver and help get rid of excess estrogen and all the other day-to-day yuck we run into.
- Lose weight. You know who you are. You can start by using our 30 Day Upgrade guide to clean up your diet while crushing cravings.
- Meditation, yoga, gratitude. Start a de-stressing practice that will free up that pregnenolone for progesterone.
Learn about your female hormone profile from the DNA Company
Signs And Symptoms Of High Estrogen
What is estrogen?
Your bodys hormones are like a seesaw. When theyre perfectly balanced, your body works as it should. But when theyre unbalanced, you may begin experiencing problems.
Estrogen is known as the female hormone. Testosterone is known as the male hormone. Although each hormone is identified with a specific sex, both are found in women and men. On average, women have higher levels of estrogen and men have more testosterone.
In women, estrogen helps initiate sexual development. Along with another female sex hormone known as progesterone, it also regulates a womans menstrual cycle and affects her entire reproductive system. In premenopausal women, estrogen and progesterone levels vary from one stage of the menstrual cycle to another.
In men, estrogen also plays an important role in sexual function.
Recommended Reading: Are My Hormones Making Me Gain Weight
Timing Of Estrogen Test
Estrogen levels also fluctuate through the month, peaking with ovulation before decreasing in the luteal phase of the cycle.
I recommend testing your hormones in the luteal phase of the cycle, which will be around day 19-22. If you want to assess your levels throughout the cycle, the DUTCH Cycle Mapping test measures your hormone levels throughout the cycle.
Estrogen Behavior And Neurotransmitters
Estradiol supports dominant behavior in women, leading researchers to assert that estradiol plays a role in women parallel to that of testosterone in men. Estradiol can modulate calcium concentrations, protein phosphorylation, and diverse signaling pathways within seconds. Estrogen is also associated with increased neuronal excitability, with estradiol specifically increasing neuronal response to glutamate, the bodys primary excitatory neurotransmitter., Researchers have even found an association between seizure frequency and higher estradiol-to-progesterone ratios. GABA, the bodys primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, is necessary for feelings of calm, relaxation, and rest. Estrogens inhibit GABA synthesis, while progesterone counteracts this inhibition.
Don’t Miss: How To Check Your Estrogen Levels At Home
How To Get Rid Of Excess Estrogen
When signs of estrogen dominance develop, men should take action. When the man fails to recognize the symptoms and address the issue, some complications can develop.;
A few options have been presented to help in reducing the amount of estrogen in the male body. It is always a good idea to discuss the options with a doctor. The doctor will also be able to determine why the man may be experiencing an increase in estrogen. A treatment plan can then be developed to help lower estrogen in the mans body.;
There are also a few methods that men can use initially to assist in limiting estrogen production in their bodies. These methods are great for also improving general health and bringing other hormones into balance too.;
How Should You Prepare For A Serum Progesterone Test
To conduct a serum progesterone test, your doctor will collect a sample of your blood to send to a laboratory.
They may ask you take certain steps to prepare for the test. For example, you should tell your doctor about any medications youre taking. Some drugs, such as birth control pills and progesterone supplements, can affect the results of your test.
Some drugs, such as blood thinners, can also raise your risk of complications from a blood draw. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications before you get your blood drawn.
Don’t Miss: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Testosterone Therapy
How To Determine If You Have Too Much Estrogen
If you suffer from the symptoms of PMS then most likely you have too much estrogen or not enough progesterone.
However, the best way to determine estrogen levels of course is to take a saliva hormone test to detect estrogen dominance.
Saliva hormone testing is the most accurate test with the least amount of false positives. If the test result reveals a low progesterone – estradiol ratio, then you are estrogen dominant.
Please See the Recurring Yeast Infection Webpage to understand how to treat high estrogen levels if you don’t have an adrenal or mercury problem.
If you suffer from too much stress which may have caused all these problems to begin with, please see the How To Relieve Stress webpage so you can get it under control.
Dr. Shalaka Samant, PhD says…Put simply, estrogen dominance is a state in which the body contains too much estrogen and too little progesterone. Excess estrogen can stem from increased estrogen production, increased estrogen exposure in the environment, or improper breakdown of estrogen. These days our environment and diet have multiple estrogen mimics that increase exposure to this hormone. Poor gut and liver health due to an inappropriate diet diminish our ability to adequately breakdown estrogen. And to compound matters further, stress increases our production of the hormone cortisol, which then slows down our ability to get rid of estrogen.
Putting It All Together
Cleaning up your diet, personal products, and environment is a tall order. But, it can be done! Be encouraged. Take it one day at a time and make small changes. Once youve made a small change, and have successfully incorporated it into your life, add another change. Little by little youll become healthier and help your body heal.
Recommended Reading: How Much Melatonin For 5 Year Old
Causes Of Estrogen Level Fluctuations
The levels of estrogen in women decrease as they approach menopause. Surgery to remove a womans ovaries can also lead to low estrogen levels. A womans estrogen levels may increase due to medications like birth control. Higher levels of the estrogen estradiol have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.;
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:
Don’t Miss: Does Melatonin Make It Hard To Wake Up
Preventing High Estrogen Levels
While improving detoxification, reducing the activity of the aromatase enzyme to optimize your estrogen levels, you have to look at some lifestyle factors to reduce estrogen levels.
Reducing alcohol consumption can help reduce estrogen levels in men and women. For some people, this means reducing alcohol consumption. For other people, it may be necessary to fully eliminate alcohol for a period of time in order to improve liver function.
Estrogen in the environment is also a major problem. They can be found in plastics , cleaning products, personal care products, factory-farmed meats.
Estrogens are so widely used by many industries, that it is extremely hard to avoid them. Nevertheless, we can reduce our exposure and improve our detoxification.
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.
You May Like: What Are The Benefits Of Hormone Replacement Therapy
What Is Estrogen Dominance And How Can It Affect You
by BeBalanced Centers | Jul 9, 2018 | Estrogen Dominance, Natural Hormone Balancing, Weight Loss, Wellness |
Are you struggling with mood swings, weight gain, or low libido? If so, you could be dealing with a hormone imbalance called estrogen dominance. Estrogen is one of the most important female reproductive hormones and is crucial for day-to-day functioning. It regulates menstruation, improve the thickness and quality of the skin, helps regulate cholesterol production in the liver, contributes to bone health, and more. Without it, you end up with symptoms of menopause, like vaginal changes, hot flashes, moodiness, irregular periods, and more.
But, too much of a good thing causes biological chaos, in the case of high estrogen.
Treatment Options For Estrogen Deficiency
If your life is being adversely affected by a lack of estrogen during the change, you have three main avenues of attack
- Hormone Replacement Therapy: Consider the different types of HRT. Most women take a combination of estrogen and progesterone but if the womb is no longer in place, estrogen alone works well. HRT can be taken continuously or in cycles and in a number of ways Undertaking HRT is not something to rush into so speak with your doctor and see if it makes sense for you. ;
- Lifestyle Changes: You can make many basic lifestyle changes to help you out. From making sensible dietary tweaks and exercising more, through to managing stress levels and prioritizing proper sleep, by taking action you can fight back against the diminishing levels of estrogen in your body. ;
Natural Supplements: If you need a helping hand, theres a range of natural supplements on the market. ;Make sure you get the input of a professional healthcare expert.
Also Check: Do I Need Hormones After Menopause
How Do You Get Rid Of Excess Estrogen
Multiple hormones in the male body regulate functions like sexual health, metabolism, and more. A hormonal imbalance in the male body can wreak havoc on a mans health.
When looking at sex hormones, in particular, testosterone is the primary term that comes to mind. Estrogen is also present in the male body, although it is the main sex hormone in women. A small amount of estrogen is needed for certain functions.;
Some men experience estrogen dominance. This is a term that refers to excess estrogen produced in the body.
High estrogen levels in men can cause adverse effects. It disrupts the hormone balance in the body. It can also cause many health problems to develop.;
We take a look at what estrogen dominance in men is. We also consider symptoms and potential actions men can take. These actions focus on helping to reduce the estrogen level in the male body.;
What Are The Symptoms Of High Estrogen In Women
Estrogen plays a vital role in the functioning of the female reproductive system. Our body naturally maintains a balance between the estrogen and other reproductive hormones for its proper functioning. However, sometimes due to the biological and environmental factors, this balance gets disrupted. As an impact of these factors, the body produces too much estrogen, creating an imbalance, which causes a lot of health issues. This metabolic state where the body produces high amounts of estrogen is known as estrogen dominance.
Don’t Miss: What Is Hormonal Acne Like
Signs Of Estrogen Dominance And How To Fix It
- Estrogen dominance is essentially too much estrogen. Theres no set number that indicates estrogen dominance. Its the amount of estrogen you have relative to your other sex hormones.
- Estrogen is crucial for day-to-day functioning. Without it, you end up with vaginal changes that lead to painful sex and urination, hot flashes, moodiness, wonky periods, brain fog, and more.
- Too much estrogen can wreak absolute havoc on your whole body. It can cause things ranging from fatigue and anxiety to fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal menstruation, and breast cancer.
- Conventional medicine tends to prescribe hormonal birth control to alleviate symptoms of estrogen dominance, which can have a lot of side effects and make the problem worse in the long run.
- There are things you can do that not just alleviate symptoms, but get rid of the problem at its core.
It seems like female problems come in groups. Patients will learn they have fibrocystic breasts, then get treated for endometriosis or fibroids. A woman with a lifetime of heavy periods will end up at the fertility clinic. A man with a more womanly shape up top may find himself with sexual dysfunction down the road.
It all points to estrogen dominance, which is high estrogen levels. Theres no set number that indicates estrogen dominance. Its the amount of estrogen you have relative to your other sex hormones .