Period Problems And Period
A common complaint of women who visit Madison Womens Health is irregular periods or unexpected changes to their periods. A period is considered irregular when it occurs more often than before or less often than before, or if the amount and duration of bleeding has changed significantly for repeated months. Is your period suddenly much heavier than it has been? Or are you not having a period at all?
Keep track of your cycles, when you begin to bleed, and for how long. A popular app among our patients for tracking cycles is Period Tracker Period Calendar , although there are many options. Let your doctor know how many days there are between your periods and what your typical flow is like. Discuss what is different and why you are concerned. Let them know if youre under more stress than before, if youve changed your diet or exercise recently, or if you have a family history of irregular periods.
These changes could have a structural cause having to do with your cervix or uterus or a hormonal cause. Your doctor will likely want to perform a physical exam and may also check specific hormones on a specific day of your menstrual cycle.
Increased Risk Of Sleep Apnea
The risk of obstructive sleep apnea increases in women during and after menopause. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes people to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. OSA occurs when muscles in the throat relax and block the airway during sleep. People who have this type of sleep apnea often snore. Researchers who performed one study found that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who had lower estrogen levels were more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea than women who had higher estrogen levels. More studies are needed, but women who feel tired or who have unrefreshing sleep should see their doctors to assess hormone levels and discuss risk factors and testing for sleep apnea.
Your Hormonal Imbalance Can Be Restored With Treatment
These symptoms can be difficult to live with, but thankfully you dont have to. Treatment can restore your hormones back to balance, allowing you to feel fit and well again. Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment for hormonal imbalance and our specialists here at New Beginnings OB-GYN use only the latest scientifically proven HRT to restore you to optimal health.
If you feel that a hormonal imbalance is causing your symptoms and youre interested in what HRT can do for you,get in touch with us today for your consultation here at New Beginnings in Las Vegas.
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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.
What Estradiol Does In Your Body:
Estradiol â the main type of estrogen â supports the functions of female sex organs like the vagina, uterus, and breasts. Your estrogen level plays an important role in ovulation during the menstrual cycle.
If your blood estrogen levels are normal, then there is a good chance ovulation has taken place during the month of your sample collection. Testing your blood estrogen levels can help you see if this sex hormone is balanced to support reproductive health. If youâre experiencing low estrogen levels, your healthcare provider may recommend hormone replacement therapy to correct your bodyâs estrogen imbalance.
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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.
Youre Having Trouble Getting Pregnant
If youâre trying to get pregnant and you have low estrogen, it could be a challenge to conceive. This is connected to symptom #1 â if you donât have enough estrogen in your body for it to grow a thick uterine lining, you wonât have enough nourishment to grow a baby. Similarly, if you’re not ovulating, your body isn’t releasing an egg, meaning there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize.
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How Does Estrogen Therapy Work
If you have surgically-induced menopause, youll likely be prescribed a high dose of estrogen. This high dose may help lower your risk of bone weakness, heart disease, and other serious medical conditions caused by hormonal imbalances. How much hormones youll be prescribed will depend on your levels post-surgery.
There are a few different ways your doctor may administer estrogen therapy. The options are orally, topically , vaginally or an injection.
- orally
- via injection
Estrogen Levels For People With Regular Cycles Not Using Hormonal Birth Control
Estradiol levels in the blood can range considerably across the cycle. Whatâs ânormalâ can vary based on the lab you go to, where you live, your ancestry, and the testing technique. So you should always interpret your lab results with this in mind, but you can use these reference points below.
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Early follicular phase: 20-150 pg/mL
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Midcycle peak: 40-350 pg/mL
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Luteal phase: 30-450 pg/mL
People under 15 years old and people who are postmenopausal generally have lower levels .
Estrogen levels can differ dramatically from cycle to cycle, but also be very different from person to person .
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Signs You May Have Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen is essential for many roles in the human body ranging from fertility, proper immune function, maintaining healthy bones and cardiovascular health as well as regulating blood sugar. Too much estrogen, however, can cause many unwanted symptoms and diseases. So, when it comes to estrogen, you want just the right amount and holistic gynecology in Atlanta can help you get there. Estrogen dominance is a term that we use when we believe you have too much estrogen compared to your other hormones.
Common signs and symptoms associated with Estrogen Dominance:
- Irregular menses and heavy bleeding
- Weight gain, especially in your hips, thighs and mid-section
- Infertility/PCOS
There are many factors to consider when treating estrogen dominance and if you suffer with any of the above, you may want to consider working with a provider of holistic gynecology in Atlanta. The following are ways that you can start to address possible root causes for estrogen dominance:
1. Eliminate RegularlyIf you are not having regular bowel movements your body is unable to eliminate excess estrogen. Not having enough digestive enzymes and/or having low stomach acid are some potential causes for re-circulation of estrogen. Low magnesium levels, dehydration, low fiber intake, as well as dysbiois or an imbalance of bacteria in the gut can also contribute to poor elimination and estrogen dominance.
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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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What Progesterone Does In Your Body:
Your progesterone level is important for regulating menstrual cycles. Progesteroneâanother sex hormoneâis also a top âpregnancy hormoneâ because it causes the uterine lining to thicken in preparation for a fertilized egg. The right level of progesterone is thus essential for a successful pregnancy.
Treatment Options To Restore Your Estrogen Levels
If youre between the ages of 25 and 50, you may benefit from estrogen therapy treatment. Dr. Morris prescribes a high dose estrogen medication that restores your internal balance, protecting you from the risks of low estrogen. Your medication can come as an oral dose, an injection, or even a topical cream. Long-term use may increase your risk of some cancers.
If youre approaching menopause, HRT might be the right choice for you. In this therapy, we enhance your natural hormones, maintaining balance to mitigate your symptoms of menopause. Your dosage is fully adjustable, so we can customize your HRT treatment for your health and wellness needs. HRT can increase your risks of cardiovascular disease, blood clotting, stroke, and breast cancer.
To guide you through the process of diagnosing and managing your low estrogen levels, contact Dr. Morris today. The team at Morris Medical Center can evaluate your case, and recommend the best treatment to re-balance your hormones and your life. You can schedule your initial consultation appointment at Morris Medical Center by giving us a call, or you can book with the online tool.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Hormone Imbalance
Hormone levels are carefully balanced to support the smooth functioning of your body and mind, but menopause can cause some serious disruption to this equilibrium. Low levels of crucial hormones can cause several significant side effects that can affect your day-to-day life, such as:
- Vaginal dryness and itching
- Osteoporosis
- Pain during intercourse
A lot of these symptoms can be caused by other health issues, so how do you know that hormonal imbalance is to blame?
Do Estrogen Levels Fall At Menopause
Yes. Estrogen levels fall at menopause. This is a natural transition for all women between ages 40 and 55. The decline in estrogen can happen abruptly in younger women whose ovaries are removed, resulting in so-called surgical menopause.
Perimenopause is the period of transition before menopause. The first natural decline in estrogen levels starts during this phase. Other physiological changes also start. Women going through perimenopause may experience weight gain along with other menopause symptoms. For instance, there may be irregular menstrual periods, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.
On average, menopause occurs at age 51. When it does, a woman’s body produces less estrogen and progesterone. The drop of estrogen levels at menopause can cause uncomfortable symptoms, including:
Some women experience moodiness. That may or may not be related to the loss of estrogen. Lower levels of estrogen may also increase a woman’s risk for heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and fractures.
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How Serious Are Side Effects Of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Most side effects of HRT are not severe. However, HRT can rarely cause severe side effects, including double vision, depression, extreme weakness and fatigue, fever, and severe abdominal pain. If you experience these or any other concerning or persistent symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately.
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.
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Hot Flashes And Night Sweats
Low estrogen levels can cause a hot flash. A strong heat starts in your chest and spreads to your neck, a feeling that can last for several uncomfortable minutes. You might notice your heart pounding and your face sweating when you experience a hot flash.
You might experience hot flashes as you sleep, which can lead to night sweats. So if you wake in the morning feeling tired and sticky and your PJs are drenched with sweat, your hormones could be to blame.
Fertility Problems Caused By Hormone Imbalances
Another common time women ask for a hormone checkup is when trying to conceive. Typically, 84% of women get pregnant after a year of unprotected sex. When conception doesnt happen, one reason could be a hormonal imbalance. To learn more, read our extensive article about fertility challenges here.
Again, its important to track your menstrual cycle, including the dates you have unprotected sex, to give your doctor a picture of what your reproductive cycle is doing. Keep in mind that your partner should also be tested for structural or hormonal issues if you have been trying to conceive for some time.
If youre having your period too often , then your uterus cant sustain a fertilized egg. If your periods are too far apart , your ovaries may not be releasing eggs often enough into your fallopian tubes.
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How Can You Test Your Estrogen Levels
Yes you can your doctor will test your estrogen levels through a blood test. A blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm. Your doctor may test your oestrogen levels if you are experiencing symptoms such as:
- Hot flushes
- Irregular periods
- Dry skin
The best thing to do is to consult your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. They will be able to send you for a blood test to determine exactly what is wrong. Once you are given a diagnosis, you will be able to begin receiving the right treatment to make you feel well again.
Heart Disease And Low Estrogen
Moreover, heart disease is also a major condition that can arise with consistently low estrogen levels since the hormone plays an instrumental role in the organ’s health.
Estrogen helps regulate cholesterol production, thus in coronary arteries. It also helps keep blood vessels pliable and strong to allow for appropriate expansion and relaxation. But as a woman ages, an estrogen deficiency makes her more susceptible to contracting atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Find out more about how to increase estrogen levels and finally achieve hormonal balance.
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Hormonal Imbalance And Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom that may have many potential underlying causes. Just as too little progesterone can make it hard to sleep, too much progesterone can make you more tired. Another common hormonal imbalance that causes fatigue is low thyroid hormone levels . This condition is easily diagnosed with a blood test. If your levels are low, you can take prescription medication to bring your levels back up to normal. Regardless of any hormone imbalance that may exist, practice good sleep hygiene to optimize your sleep. This involves going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and exercise from the late afternoon on to avoid interfering with sleep. Establish a relaxing nighttime routine to give your body the message that it’s time for sleep. Take a warm bath, sip a cup of chamomile tea, or listen to relaxing music.
Action Steps: Tips For Keeping Hormones Happy
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What Are The Symptoms Of Low Estrogen
First off, it is worth saying that low estrogen symptoms can be also a result of smoking, hereditary predisposition, and excessive exercising. So, whenever a woman wants to prevent the fast onset of menopause, she should avoid such activities, and inform a dedicated expert about signature genetic details. In such a case, he will be able to appoint hormone replacement therapy or recommend health supplements that will stabilize the levels as much as possible. Besides, such treatment can alleviate the symptoms of low estrogen, and let the woman live a comfortable life.
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 .
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