What Does High Estrogen Levels Mean

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.

What Is High Estrogen In Women

Symptoms of hormone imbalance manifest when certain hormones are over- or under-produced by the body. High estrogen levels are one of the most common hormonal imbalances found in women of childbearing age. Excess estrogen can manifest from a health condition, such as endometriosis or obesity, or in response to certain medications, like antibiotics or hormonal birth control.

Diagnosing High Or Low Estrogen

A doctor will have you take a laboratory blood test if they believe you may have either high or low levels of estrogen.

For this, youll go to a laboratory that collects samples, and someone whos trained to take samples will use a needle and vial to collect the blood for testing.

You should receive your results in about a week. Youll see your blood estrogen levels shown in measurements of picograms per milliliter . Once you get your results, your doctor will let you know what youll need to do next.

If theyre normal, you wont necessarily need to do anything. But if your levels or high or low, your doctor will recommend the next steps to help get your estrogen levels balanced.

Here are some of the possible treatments a doctor may recommend to help control your estrogen levels.

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How Is Estrogen Dominance The Cause Of Pms Endometriosis Fibroids And Mood Disorders Dont Those Conditions Have Other Causes Too

While all of these conditions can stem from a number of factors, each has also been linked to estrogen dominance. Because each womans lifestyle, menstrual symptoms, and monthly cycle vary so much, there is not one set cause of PMS that has been determined. However, many studies have proposed the hypothesis that PMS symptoms are triggered by the estrogen peak occurring just before ovulation, especially given that introducing estrogen at other points in the cycle has provoked PMS-like symptoms . This hypothesis can hold up even for women whose estrogen levels are within normal ranges because it is not necessarily the amount of estrogen itself that causes the symptoms, but the act of peaking . Drastic fluctuations in hormones that are unbalanced are one of the most well-known triggers of the dysfunctions and disorders mentioned in this article .This is what is suspected to be the case behind uterine fibroids as well. Because fibroids, the most common kind of gynecologic tumor, are estrogen-dependent, by and large, only women of reproductive age develop them . However, it is not the estrogen alone that causes their growth, but rather the levels of progesterone and other factors in tandem with existing estrogen that promote fibroid growth .

Serum Progesterone Test: Purpose Results And Risks

• Outlook

What is a serum progesterone test?

Progesterone is a hormone that your body produces. Both men and women produce it. But its mainly produced in the ovaries, which means women tend to have more of it.

In men, progesterone is involved in the creation of sperm, or spermatogenesis. In women, it helps prepare your uterus for a fertilized egg. If you become pregnant, progesterone helps you remain pregnant.

Progesterone also inhibits your milk production during pregnancy. When you go into labor, your progesterone levels drop, which helps trigger your milk production.

To measure the level of progesterone in your blood, your doctor can order a serum progesterone test. They may order it if youre having trouble getting pregnant. The results can give them an indication of whether or not youre ovulating. In turn, this can help them diagnose and manage potential fertility problems.

Your doctor might also order this test if youre pregnant and they suspect youre at risk of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to your fallopian tube, abdominal cavity, or cervix, rather than your uterus. Miscarriage happens when you lose a fetus during early pregnancy. Both cause low progesterone levels.

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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.

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:

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Understanding Hormones: The Roles Of Estrogen And Progesterone

How Estrogen and Progesterone levels affect women and men.

Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that are important for sexual and reproductive development in women. Estrogen and progesterone help to regulate a womans menstrual cycle and play an important role in pregnancy. While they are often thought of as female hormones, both estrogen and progesterone are also found in men.

To understand how these hormones are manufactured we need to look more closely at the ovaries, the site of production of estrogen and progesterone in women. The ovaries produce and release the two groups of sex hormones progesterone and estrogen.

Estrogens

Estrogens are broken down into three groups, known as

• Estradiol : the most common type in women of childbearing age
• Estrone : the only estrogen your body makes after menopause
• Estriol : the main estrogen during pregnancy

These substances work together to promote the healthy development of female sex characteristics during puberty and to ensure fertility. Estrogen also has other functions:

• Keeps cholesterol in control
• Protects bone health for both women and men
• Affects your brain , bones, heart, skin, and other tissues

Estrogen is instrumental in breast development, fat distribution in the hips, legs, and breasts, and the development of reproductive organs. The ovaries also release two other hormones, relaxin and inhibin

How Estrogen levels affect you

Low Estrogen:

Men. High estrogen in men can cause:

Progesterone

Combined Hormonal Contraception And Estrogen

These types of contraception contain both estrogen and progestin, in different amounts and ratios. Many combined oral contraceptives contain ethinyl estradiol, a synthetic estrogen. In the United States, ethinyl estradiol doses do not exceed 50mcg , and are often lower, even 10 mcg . When the contraceptive pill is taken as prescribed, it works by disrupting the normal communication between the brain and the ovaries, so that:

• hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle do not happen

• follicles are less likely to mature to their final stage, meaning less natural estrogen is produced

• ovulation does not occur

Because follicle growth and ovulation is stopped, the natural production of estrogen is affected, and may be responsible for any side effects or changes you may experience after starting the pill.

The vaginal ring supplies a much lower dose od ethinyl estradiol of 15 mcg per day , and the patch supplies 20 mcg .

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What Causes High Estrogen In Females

Pay close attention to what you eat, which products you use, and how you deal with stressful situations in your life: these rather unremarkable, everyday experiences are some of the most common causes of high estrogen in females.

Lets take a look at seven sources responsible for high estrogen in females.

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Why Would You Have Estradiol Checked

Ablood testto check estradiol levels is one of the most common fertility tests. One reason to have your estradiol levels checked is to determine your ovaries ability to produce eggs .

It can also help to determine if your follicle stimulating hormone test was accurate or not. Estradiol suppresses FSH. If your FSH levels are normal but your estradiol levels are high, this indicates that the estradiol is artificially suppressing FSH levels.

If you have already begun fertility treatment, your doctor may check your estradiol levels to see how the ovaries are responding to stimulation. You may also have the test if youve missed a period but arent pregnant.

You will probably have your estradiol levels checked via a blood test on day 3 of your menstrual cycle, along with your FSH levels.

What Do Your Test Results Mean

Your serum progesterone level will be measured in nanograms per deciliter . Once your results are ready, the laboratory will send them to your doctor. Normal results can vary, depending on your gender, age, menstrual cycle, and whether or not youre pregnant.

If youre a woman who menstruates, your blood progesterone level should be low at the beginning of each menstrual cycle. It should peak several days after you ovulate. Then it should fall back to low levels, unless youve become pregnant.

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What Can I Do About It

Sure, some of these symptoms suck, but is having high estrogen a potentially scary thing? It turns out it can be â because having more of this hormone puts you at risk for medical conditions you donât want. These include breast, uterine, and endometrial cancer, high blood pressure, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and depression.

To know if your estrogen levels are too high, you have to go to your doctor to get tested â probably more than once, so your doctor can monitor trends in how your levels rise and fall across your cycle. A single number isnât going to cut it because the normal amount of estrogen someone has in their body is always fluctuating. She may put you on hormone replacement therapy so you can get back in balance and start feeling better.

Either way, there’s no way to know what’s going on without a doctor’s help, so if these symptoms sound like you, go and get checked out so you can start feeling better!

Symptoms Of High Estrogen In Women

The signs and symptoms of high estrogen levels vary from person to person. Given below are some of the common high estrogen symptoms females usually experience:Weight gain: High estrogen levels in the body can lead to weight gain. One can experience fat build up in their hip, midsection and thigh area. Due to estrogen dominance, it also becomes difficult to get rid of all the fat in the body.

Swollen or tender breasts: High levels of estrogen in the body can make ones breast more tender and swollen especially around the nipples and front area. This happens because our breasts are sensitive to hormone changes.

Fibrocystic breasts: The high estrogen level makes the quality of the connective tissues in the breast to change from soft to bumpy and rope-like tissues known as the fibrocystic breast lumps.

Irregular menstrual periods: Since estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle along with other hormones, a slight variation can lead to irregular periods, causing it to be late or early.Heavy periods: Estrogen is responsible for the thickening of the uterine lining. With the rising levels of estrogen hormone, the uterus lining thickens, which leads to painful and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Mood swings: Estrogen dominance can cause a range of mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

As the levels of estrogen hormone rises, one may notice a dip in their sexual drive.

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Estrogen Dominance In Women With Pcos

Estrogen is an important hormone produced by the ovaries and in small quantities by the adrenal glands. It’s responsible for the development of female sex characteristics. Estrogen is required for proper development of sexual organs, maintenance of the skeletal system, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and maintenance of pregnancy.

During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the month. Secreted by the developing egg follicle, it aids in thickening the endometrium for ovulation and possible pregnancy.

Also one of the major hormones of pregnancy, estrogen supports the production of fluid in the reproductive tract that enhances the survival of sperm by slightly neutralizing cervical secretions.

Toward the end of pregnancy, estrogen promotes the growth of milk ducts within the breasts and enhances the effect of prolactin, the hormone responsible for lactation.

While estrogen levels fluctuate normally throughout the menstrual cycle and throughout a lifetime, some women experience a condition known as estrogen dominance, where they have higher than normal levels of estrogen.

Causes Of Low Estrogen Levels

There are various health conditions that can result from low estrogen levels. This is because estrogen impacts a wide range of bodily functions . There are several reasons that a womans estrogen level can be low, these include:

• any condition that damages the ovaries
• excessive exercise
• long-term kidney disorder
• perimenopause
• menopause
• effects of chemotherapy

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Natural Remedies And Supplements

Ready to fix high estrogen in women the natural way? Lets take a look at three remedies you can rely on.

1) Take supplements

Your first course of action is to opt for supplements that bring your hormone levels back into balance. Remember, estrogen is closely bound to the hormone progesterone. And both are also related to other hormones such as cortisol and pregnenolone to name a few.

Because of these correlations, you want to look for a formulation that addresses the broad spectrum of symptoms that accompany high estrogen in females.

Go With the Flow has precisely what you need to improve and alleviate issues related to high levels of estrogen in women, including PCOS, PMS, mood swings, irregular cycles, disturbed sleep, and more.

The curated collection of female hormone balance herbs includes black cohosh root, Dong Quai root, Maca root, and more.

2) Eat smart

You can lower high estrogen levels in the same ways that you can eat to manage and balance diabetes. A hormone balance diet includes foods that target the bodys vitamin and mineral balance, as well as the organs and their production of hormones like estrogen.

A diet designed to bring estrogen levels down includes the following foods:

• Wild-caught salmon
• Helpful herbs and spices like turmeric and garlic

3) Focus on detoxification

When high levels of estrogen accumulate in the bloodstream, some functional medicine specialists will look at how well your hepatic system is functioning.

What The Research Says

Progestins can increase appetite, while high levels of estrogen tend to increase fluid or water retention. Changes in hormonal birth control and advances in combination forms of the pill have addressed this issue.

Most, if not all, pills lack estrogen levels that are high enough to cause weight gain. The first birth control pill, developed in the 1950s, contained 150 micrograms of the estrogen mestranol.

Todays pills only contain 20 to 50 mcg of estrogen, according to a 2012 review .

Study after study has examined the relationship between weight gain and todays most popular forms of hormonal contraception, including the pill and the patch. The vast majority of these studies showed limited evidence that birth control pills are associated with weight gain.

Any weight gain that may occur in the first weeks or months after beginning birth control is typically due to water retention. It isnt actual fat gain.

One literature review found that study participants gained, on average, fewer than 4.4 pounds after 6 or 12 months of using a progestin-only pill.

If you gain substantially more than that after starting hormonal birth control, your weight gain is likely caused by something else.

If youre noticing weight gain and cant pinpoint a reason, it could be due to one of the following common causes.

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