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
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.
Choosing The Right Hrt For You
Finding the right type of HRT can be tricky.
A low dose of HRT hormones is usually recommended to begin with. It is best to start with the lowest effective dose, to minimise side effects. If necessary,;you can increase your dose at a later stage.
Persevere with HRT and wait a few months to see if it works well for you. If not, you can try a different type or increase the dose. Talk to your GP about any problems you have with HRT.
While there are more than 50 different preparations of HRT, the three main types are discussed below.
You May Like: How Does Testosterone Affect Males
List Of Possible Side Effects
The risks factors pointed out in the previous section were just that potentially dangerous conditions that could occur as a result of receiving estrogen replacement. Side effects are entirely different, and at their worst, are typically just bothersome to the individual. Of course, even the most harmless side effects could create problems over a period of time, so it is essential to let the doctor know about any changes associated with this treatment.
In some cases, the doctor may lower the dosage of medication so that the unwanted side effects subside. In other instances, they will often go away on their own within a few weeks as the body adjusts to the hormone replacement treatment.
Here are the most commonly seen estrogen therapy side effects to be mindful of when beginning treatment:
- Abdominal Cramps
- Edema Swelling of the Legs and Ankles
- Water Retention
- Sudden urination
- Vision changes
Along with the side effects of estrogen, there are some drug interactions associated with the use of this treatment. It is essential to alert the doctor to any and all medications that are being taken before beginning estrogen therapy.
The possibility of estrogen side effects is greater in women who smoke and are over the age of thirty-five. For these women, as well as those mentioned in the first section who may not be candidates for estrogen therapy, treatment with supplemental testosterone and an estrogen blocker may be the better alternative.
What Other Drugs Interact With Estradiol
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.
Severe Interactions of estradiol include:
Estradiol has serious interactions with at least 32 different drugs.
Estradiol has moderate interactions with at least 185 different drugs.
Estradiol has mild interactions with at least 34 different drugs.
This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns or for more information about this medicine.
Read Also: Does Melatonin Cancel Out Birth Control Implant
Estrogenic Side Effects Background
Estrogen side effects;can refer both to the side effects that result from rising levels of Estrogen that originate from aromatization, or from estrogenic side effects that result from other causes that are not related to the rise in E2 . This is very important for the reader to understand, as Estrogen side effects can have numerous causes. The majority of the Estrogen side effects discussed here can all be treated with the use of anti-estrogens, which will be expanded upon a great deal in the next subsection of this article. The most common and prominent estrogenic side effects will be discussed here.
How Is Low Estrogen Treated
Women who have low levels of estrogen may benefit from hormonal treatment. Hormonal treatment is the standard for low estrogen. There are non-hormonal options to help relieve symptoms. Non-hormonal options are preferred for women at high risk for breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, or liver disease.
Read Also: How To Check Your Estrogen Levels At Home
Contraception Pregnancy And Hrt
Oestrogen used in HRT is different from oestrogen used in the contraceptive pill, and is not as powerful.
This means it’s possible to become pregnant if you are taking HRT to control menopausal symptoms. In some cases, a woman can be fertile for up to 2;years after her last period if she is under 50, or for a year if she is over 50.
If you don’t want to get pregnant, you can use a non-hormonal method of contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm.
An alternative is the;IUS , which is also licensed for heavy periods and as the progestogen part of HRT. You will need to add oestrogen as either a tablet, gel or patch.
How To Take Estradiol
Use;Estradiol ;exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that can lead to uterine cancer. To help lower this risk, your doctor may also want you to take a progestin. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.
Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis to determine whether you should continue this treatment. Self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis and have a mammogram every year while using estradiol.
If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using estradiol.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Don’t Miss: How Much Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Cost
Hormone Replacement Therapy May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- headache
- changes in sex drive or ability
- nervousness
- brown or black skin patches
- acne
- swelling of hands, feet, or lower legs
- bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- changes in menstrual flow
- dark-colored urine
- light-colored stool
Hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer and gallbladder disease. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Hormone replacement therapy may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
Conditions Related To High Estrogen
High levels of estrogen can put you at a higher risk of some other conditions. For example, elevated estrogen levels are a risk factor for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. According to the American Cancer Society , estrogen dominance can also increase your risk of endometrial cancer.
High levels of estrogen may put you at higher risk of blood clots and stroke.
Estrogen dominance may also increase your chances of thyroid dysfunction. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue and weight changes.
Don’t Miss: What Causes Testosterone To Be Low
Low Estrogen Levels And Weight Gain: Is There A Connection
Sex hormones, such as estrogen, influence the amount of fat in the body. Estrogen regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. If your estrogen levels are low, it can result in weight gain.
Research suggests that this may be why women approaching menopause are likely to become overweight. Being overweight can increase your risk for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
If your estrogen levels are low and its affecting your weight, speak with your doctor. They can assess your symptoms and advise you on next steps. Its always a good idea to try to eat a balanced diet and exercise as often as possible. Talk with your doctor about developing a diet and exercise plan thats right for you.
How Is Hormone Therapy Used To Treat Breast Cancer
There are three main ways that hormone therapy is used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer:
Adjuvant therapy for early-stage breast cancer:Tamoxifen;is FDA approved for adjuvant hormone treatment;of premenopausal and postmenopausal women with ER-positive early-stage breast cancer, and the aromatase inhibitorsanastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane are approved for this use in postmenopausal women.
Research has shown that women who receive at least 5 years of adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen after having surgery for early-stage ER-positive breast cancer have reduced risks of breast cancer recurrence, including a new breast cancer in the other breast, and reduced risk of death at 15 years .
Until recently, most women who received adjuvant hormone therapy to reduce the chance of a breast cancer recurrence took tamoxifen every day for 5 years. However, with the introduction of newer hormone therapies , some of which have been compared with tamoxifen in clinical trials, additional approaches to hormone therapy have become common .;
Some premenopausal women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer may have ovarian suppression plus an aromatase inhibitor, which was found to have higher rates of freedom from recurrence than ovarian suppression plus tamoxifen or tamoxifen alone .;
Men with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer who receive adjuvant therapy are usually treated first with tamoxifen. Those treated with an aromatase inhibitor usually also take a GnRH agonist.
Don’t Miss: How To Help Estrogen Levels
What Are The Dosages Of Estradiol
Dosages of Estradiol:
Dosage Considerations â Should be Given as Follows:
- Pediatric: Safety and efficacy not established
Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophyin Menopause
- Estrace: 1-2 mg orally once daily for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week off
- Valerate: 10-20 mg intramuscularly every 4 weeks
- EstroGel: 1.25 g/day 3 weeks on, 1 week off
- Alora, Climara Vivelle-Dot, Estraderm: Use transdermally and follow product-specific directions
- Prevention of osteoporosis: 0.5 mg orally once daily for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week off
- Metastatic breast cancer: 10 mg orally every 8 hours for 3 months
- Prostate cancer: 1-2 mg orally every 8 hours for 3 months or more
Hypoestrogenism from Castration, Hypogonadonism, or Ovarian Failure
- Oral : 1-2 mg orally once/day; titrate to use minimal effective dose
- Transdermal : Use transdermally and follow product-specific directions
- Valerate: 10-20 mg intramuscularly every 4 weeks
Hypoestrogenism
- Cypionate: 1.5-2 mg intramuscularly every 4 weeks
Osteoporosis
- Oral : 0.5 mg/day for 23 days of 28-day cycle used in clinical studies
- Transdermal : Follow product specific directions
Vasomotor Symptoms Associated with Menopause
- Estrace: 1-2 mg orally three times daily
- Valerate: 30 mg intramuscularly or more every 1-2 weeks
A Change In Recommendations
These studies were the first large-scale trials that looked for cause and effect with heart disease and HRT. HRT does offer some benefits, such as preventing osteoporosis and reducing the risk of colon cancer. But the data on heart-related risks from these studies were very compelling. As a result, the American Heart Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration developed new guidelines for the use of HRT:
The bottom line, say physicians at the Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic: weigh the benefits of HRT against the risks and discuss the whole subject of HRT with your physician to be able to make an informed decision.
Recommended Reading: How To Reset Hormonal Imbalance
Is Fatigue One Of The Effects Of High Estrogen Levels
Sometimes, people exhibit low levels of energy due to this hormone. If you are not sleeping well, you feel more fatigued and you need to bring your energy levels back to go on with your day. Feeling tired is normal for any human being after a difficult task but if you are exhausted more than usual and often showing low levels of energy without any reason then the effect of high estrogen may be the reason behind it.
What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical exam, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic exams, and a Pap test at least yearly. Follow your doctor’s directions for examining your breasts; report any lumps immediately.
If you are taking hormone replacement therapy to treat symptoms of menopause, your doctor will check every 3 to 6 months to see if you still need this medication. If you are taking this medication to prevent thinning of the bones , you will take it for a longer period of time.
Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory personnel that you take hormone replacement therapy, because this medication may interfere with some laboratory tests.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Recommended Reading: Does Melatonin Have Side Effects
Treatments For Low Estrogen Levels
As mentioned above, estrogen fluctuations are normal during the unpleasant stage of menopause and estrogen production will slow down with menopause. Many women find the final stages of their reproductive life discomforting, and with all of the side effects it becomes a challenging part in any woman’s life.
Lifestyle changes such as exercise and eating a healthy diet can help the body adjust to the new changes. Also, stress relief techniques are key to finding a balance between the mind and the body.
Some alternative medicines like aromatherapy, massages, herbal supplements, and teas have been known to help women find peace and ensure the well being of their bodies during menopause nourishing the production of hormones. These treatments are safe and can be taken along side others.
Hormone replacement therapy is also an option that puts hormones into the body to cancel out the fluctuating levels. However, it is important to talk to your doctor about all of the health risks related to this treatment method.
When Is Hormone Therapy Used
Hormone therapy is often used after surgery to help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Sometimes it is started before surgery . It is usually taken for at least 5 to 10 years.
Hormone therapy can also be used to treat cancer that has come back after treatment or that has spread to other parts of the body.
Also Check: Do I Need Hormones After Menopause
Estrogen Pills Side Effects
Medical Science has discovered a myriad of uses for Estrogen pills;in the treatment of men and women around the world. Estrogen is known as the female hormone because it is responsible for regulating; reproductive health in women. Estrogen has been known to play a vital role in sexual desire, skin clarity, body fat percentage, and other important body systems. It can alleviate the symptoms of many ailments as well as enhance quality of life for many women.
Menopause is an often-uncomfortable condition that women experience as they pass their prime child-bearing years. Symptoms can include mood swings, weight gain, mental fuzziness, hot flashes, and more. Menopause happens because when the body passes through its child bearing years it stops producing Estrogen, leaving only a fraction of the normal hormone levels in the blood.
Because of this, doctors have found that adding Estrogen to the daily regimen of women suffering from menopause can drastically reduce their symptoms and help women lead a more normal life as menopause progresses.
Estrogen supplements make up the lions share of a multimillion-dollar hormone replacement industry, making them one of the most popular pills on the planet in the 21st century.