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 Serious Are Side Effects Of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Most side effects of HRT are not severe. However, HRT can rarely cause more 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.
How To Use Premarin
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. You may take it with food or right after a meal to prevent stomach upset.
If you are taking the extended-release tablets, do not crush, chew, or dissolve them. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split extended-release tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day as directed. Follow your dosing schedule carefully. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often or for a longer time than directed.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
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Important Questions To Ask About Menopause Hormone Medicines
- Are hormones right for me? Why?
- What are the benefits?
- What are the serious risks and common side effects?
- How long should I use hormone therapy?
- What is the lowest dose that will work for me?
- Are there any non-hormone medicines that I can take?
Want more information about menopause? Check the FDA website at: www.fda.gov/menopause
The drug and risk information in this booklet may change. Check for the latest facts on each product listed in this booklet.
What Are The Fda
Currently hormone therapy is approved for the following:
- Relief for vasomotor symptoms in menopause
- Prevention of bone loss and reduction of fractures in menopausal women
- Prevention of bone loss and menopausal symptoms in women who have premature ovarian failure, underactive ovaries or have had their ovaries removed
- Treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause
Hormone therapies are individualized based on the individuals conditions and symptoms. The therapy may consist of estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and a progestogen. Following are the FDA-approved hormone therapies, which are administered in four forms:
Oral products
Most oral tablets are taken once daily. The FDA-approved drugs include:
- Estrogen products
- Estropipate
Estrogen with SERMs
SERMs are selective estrogen receptor modulators, which act as both agonists and antagonists to estrogen. SERMS help estrogen bind with certain tissues like bone and help prevent bone loss, but block estrogen from binding to breast tissues and protect against breast cancer.
- Bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens
Progestogens
- Progesterone in peanut oil, micronized
Estrogen-progesterone combination products
Transdermal products
Skin patches
Skin patches may be prepared with only estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone. Skin patches are placed on the lower stomach and replaced with new ones once or twice weekly.
- Estrogen-only formulations
- CombiPatch
- Climara Pro
Gels, topical creams and sprays
Vaginal products
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May Improve Sexual Function Fertility And Libido
Its no surprise that a supplement that affects the male and female sex hormones also affects sexual function.
For starters, DHEA supplements may improve the function of the ovaries in women with impaired fertility.
In fact, it increased the success of in vitro fertilization in 25 women experiencing fertility problems .
These women underwent IVF before and after DHEA treatment. After treatment, the women produced more eggs and a higher percentage of eggs were fertilized 67%, versus 39% before treatment.
One study found that women who took DHEA supplements during IVF had a 23% live birth rate, compared to a 4% live birth rate in the control group .
Additionally, several studies have shown that these supplements may increase libido and sexual function in both men and women (
42 ).
Summary: DHEA supplements may improve several aspects of sexual function, including libido and fertility in women. Benefits are primarily seen in those with impaired sexual function.
Why Use Vaginal Estrogen Cream
There are many different treatments for symptoms of menopause and low estrogen available today. You could change your diet or lifestyle or even supplement with different products.;
Women who are going through menopause experience a dramatic shift in their hormones. As the hormones change and stop monthly periods, they can also create some unpleasant vaginal symptoms, such as:
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during sex due to lack of natural vaginal lubrication
- Painful urination
- Sudden and frequent need to urinate
Hormones affect vaginal health. During menopause, these same hormones shift, changing vaginal health as well.;
Vaginal estrogen cream is used to treat the above-mentioned symptoms, as well as others. It should only be used as prescribed by your doctor. If you have any of the above symptoms and are going through menopause, talk to your doctor. They may want to run a few tests before prescribing a vaginal cream to help alleviate these symptoms.
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Does Food Play A Role
Some have suggested that menopause was much easier for Asian women than for Westernersat least while women followed traditional, mostly plant-based diets. Hot flashes have been reported by only about 10 percent of women in China,1 17.6 percent of women in Singapore,2 and 22.1 percent of women in Japan.3 In contrast, it is estimated that hot flashes are experienced by 75 percent of women over the age of 50 in the United States.4 Whether these differences might be partly due to reluctance in reporting symptoms among Asians is not entirely clear. And as Asias diets gradually westernize, these differences are likely to disappear anyway.
But we do know that, throughout their lives, Western women consume much more meat, and about four times as much fat, as women on traditional Asian rice-based diets, and only one-quarter to one-half the fiber. For reasons that have never been completely clear, a high-fat, low-fiber diet causes a rise in estrogen levels. Women on higher-fat diets have measurably more estrogen activity than do those on low-fat diets. At menopause, the ovaries production of estrogen comes to a halt. Those women who have been on high-fat diets then have a dramatic drop in estrogen levels. The drop appears to be less dramatic for Asian women who have lower levels of estrogen both before and after menopause. The resulting symptoms are much milder or even nonexistent.
Reasons For Low Estrogen
There are times when your estrogen levels fluctuate, such as during your period or when youre pregnant. But as you get older and approach menopause, your estrogen levels decline. For some, it happens earlier. Any condition that impairs the ovaries can reduce estrogen production.
Low estrogen levels can have a serious impact on your life. Fortunately, there are ways to replenish your estrogen supply so you dont have to suffer from the many life-altering symptoms.
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The Problem With Low Estradiol:
Estradiol works to boost serotonin levels naturally .; When this hormone is out of balance, serotonin levels drop.; In order to counteract this, the adrenals kick out norepinephrine and epinephrine , which have natural balancing mechanisms.
However, if you are under chronic stress or have weak adrenals, Ep levels will drop, skewing its natural balance with Nr.; Here are the symptoms that follow:
Low Serotonin:; Headaches, depression, fatigue, low sex drive, insomnia, & hot flashes.
Imbalance of Nr & Ep:;Hot flashes, insomnia and anxiety.
Low Estrogen During Menopause: Symptoms
The best way to confirm if symptoms are due to low estrogen levels caused by;menopause;is to see a health care provider. They will evaluate any symptoms and measure current hormone levels.;
People in their late 40s or early 50s who are experiencing any or all of the symptoms listed below could be beginning the menopausal transition. These symptoms can include the following:
- Changes in skin texture
- Dry eyes;
- Frequent urinary tract infections
These symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause can be inconvenient at times, but there are solutions. Currently, researchers are studying natural ways to control these symptoms with phytoestrogen-rich foods in cases where;hormone replacement therapy;isnt possible.
For now, there is not enough data on the effects of phytoestrogens. The claims about the potentially beneficial effects of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms might be overstated. Some clinical trials have found that the positive effects phytoestrogens can have on menopausal symptoms are about as good as those from a placebo. In addition, researchers may ignore the potential adverse effects in the hopes of finding a treatment that works. Before making changes in your diet, consult a health care provider and discuss possible outcomes for your health.
Lots of people want to know which foods are rich in phytoestrogen. Here are five different options for foods high in phytoestrogen, which some people claim might reduce typical symptoms associated with menopause.
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Make Sure You’re Eating Enough
“A great way to ensure you are getting a balanced meal is to try thinking about the structure of your meal on the plate: 1/2 plate greens/veggies, 1/4 plate protein, and the other 1/4 complex carbohydrates and fats. This is an easy way to help get the nutrients you need, as well as enough calories,” Perrin explains.
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.
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Minimize Xenoestrogen Containing Products:
If possible, it is wise to discuss with your doctor or health care practitioners about coming off all oral contraceptives, hormone creams, and hormone based prescription medications.; You may need to wean off of these slowly so it is imperative to discuss this with your prescribing practitioner.
Additionally, you want to do your best to reduce your exposure to plastics, tin cans and conventional hygiene products that contain parabens and sodium lauryl sulfates.; Look for natural and organic personal hygiene products that minimize chemicals in their manufacturing process.
What Happens During Menopause
Absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months is defined as menopause, after all other reasons are ruled out. The median age for natural menopause is about 52 years. Menopausal transition may take up to three years. Menopause may also occur earlier due to reasons other than natural such as surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.;
During menopausal transition, menstruation becomes irregular and the intervals increase. The ovarian function reduces and estrogen levels drop which give rise to early menopausal symptoms such as:
Many other conditions may mimic the vasomotor symptoms of menopause and must be ruled out with tests before starting hormone therapy. Post menopause, estrogen deficiency may lead to genitourinary syndrome of menopause which may cause:
- Genital symptoms such as:
- Burning or itching of vulva
- Sexual symptoms such as:
- Spotting or bleeding after intercourse
Menopausal women are at higher risk for developing diseases such as:
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Please Answer Yes Or No To The Following Questions:
1. Do you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as extremely heavy periods or spotting between periods?
Yes No
2. Is there a history of breast cancer in your family?
Yes No
3. Do you have a history of endometrial or uterine cancer?
Yes No
4. Do you currently have, or have you in the past had, venous thrombosis ? This includes thrombosis or blood clots during pregnancy or when taking birth control pills.
Yes No
5. Do you have chronic liver disease?
Yes No
Major Types Of Estrogen:
1);;;;Estrone :;The main form of estrogen produced during menopause.; Produced mainly in your liver and fat cells.; Since toxins such as xenoestrogens, heavy metals, and other pollutants that directly affect hormone levels are stored in your liver and fat cells, individuals with higher levels of toxicity have altered and contaminated forms of estrone.
2);;;Estradiol :;The major estrogen made in the ovaries.; This hormone is known to play a huge role in energy, sleeping,;pleasure, sex drive, and healthy bones, skin, & hair.; It also helps support the mucous membranes, providing moisturization for the skin, lips, eyes, GI tract, and vagina. ;Estradiol is a very strong growth stimulator and elevated levels are linked to greater risk of breast, uterine or overian cancers.
3);;;Estriol:;:;Made in the liver and breast cells.; Also, primarily made by the placenta during pregnancy.; It is suggested that this form of estrogen is a key regulator in determining which cells are turned on or off to estrogen. ;This is a highly protective form of estrogen that reduces cellular growth factors and other estrogens. ;Estriol reduces the more aggressive estradiol and protects against radiation induced cancer of the breast.
We should normally have a ratio of 90% Estriol, 7% Estradiol and 3% Estrone in what is referred to as the Tri-Estrogen Formula.
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Is It Time For Me To Try Hormone Therapy
Several factors play into whether hormone replacement therapy is the best option for you. Your age is one factor. Your doctor will also want to consider whether youâve had a hysterectomy and whether you have certain health risks, such as a family or personal history of breast cancer or clotting disorders.
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Hormone replacement therapy comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take hormone replacement therapy, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take this medication exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor.
Activella, FemHrt, and Prempro come as tablets containing estrogen and progestin. Take one tablet every day.
Ortho-Prefest comes in a blister card containing 30 tablets. Take one pink tablet once daily for 3 days, then take one white tablet once daily for 3 days. Repeat this process until you finish all the tablets on the card. Begin a new blister card the day after you finish the last one.
Premphase comes in a dispenser containing 28 tablets. Take one maroon tablet once daily on days 1 to 14, and take one light-blue tablet once daily on days 15 to 28. Begin a new dispenser the day after you finish the last one.
Before taking hormone replacement therapy, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully.
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What Does Estrogen Do
Estrogen and progesterone are steroid hormones naturally occurring in the body. Though commonly known as female sex hormones, males also have estrogen and progesterone in low levels.
Estrogen plays an important role in the development and regulation of the sexual and reproductive system. Estrogen also stimulates egg production by the ovaries. Apart from the reproductive system, estrogen has effects on almost the entire body including:
- Gastrointestinal system
The central nervous system functions such as:
- Mood
The body produces three forms of estrogen:
- Estradiol: Produced by the ovary and predominant in premenopausal women.
- Estrone: Formed from estradiol in a chemical reaction predominant after menopause.
- Estriol: Secreted by the placenta during pregnancy, and also derived as a metabolite from estradiol and estrone.
Progesterone is a form of progestogen, another important hormone produced by the body. Progesterone prepares the uterus to receive the fertilized egg by thickening the uterine lining , and supports pregnancy. Progestin is a synthetic progestogen used in the preparation of hormonal medications.