Ways To Increase Estrogen Naturally
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When your estrogen levels are off, your body can feel off too. Estrogen is a sex hormone that has many functions: It controls the menstrual cycle keeps cholesterol in check protects bone health and affects your brain, bones, heart, skin, and other tissues.
“There are many reasons you can have low estrogen, but most commonly, it is a normal change women go through during menopause,” explains Navya Mysore, MD, family provider at One Medical. “Symptoms at that time can be hot flashes, excessive sweating, and vaginal dryness. One sign that is common is low bone mass, as we have reduced estrogen levels in menopause.”
Your estrogen levels are highest in the middle of your menstrual cycle and lowest during your period. According to the Endocrine Society, other symptoms of low estrogen levels include menstrual periods that are less frequent or that stop, trouble sleeping, low sexual desire, mood swings, and dry skin.
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You can get your estrogen levels checked through a blood or urine sample at your doctor’s office. And your doctor may treat low estrogen levels with hormone therapy . But there are some lifestyle changes you can make that can help you manage your estrogen levels naturally, which we’ve outlined below.
Ultimately, it’s important to note that you should discuss with your doctor what’s the best course of action to take.
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.
How To Increase Estrogen In Males
Estrogen is a sex hormone primarily responsible for the sexual characteristics and reproductive ability of females. It is equally present in males, where it plays a role in the formation of sperm and maintenance of a healthy libido.
Males can benefit from increased levels of estrogen under certain medical conditions, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, and schizophrenia.
More importantly, increased estrogen in males has been successfully used in male-to-female feminizing therapy for trans-women and other genderqueer persons, to tilt their physical and sexual features in the feminine direction.
This results in the slowing of body and facial hair growth, fat redistribution in the female shape and boosted breast growth. If youre interested in learning more about estrogen, to include how to identify and treat low estrogen, how to increase estrogen levels fast in men, women, and MTF transgender during the transition, then check out our new website Estrogenbooster.info
Estrogen in males can be increased in three primary ways:
- Administration of synthetic estrogen preparations.
- Diet Adjustments.
- Lifestyle modifications.
SYNTHETIC ESTROGEN PREPARATIONS
Prescription estrogen preparations are available for use in males. The most common estrogens used in transgender women includeestradiol and estradiol esters such as estradiol valerate and estradiol cypionate.
DIET ADJUSTMENTS TO INCREASE ESTROGEN IN MALES
LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION THAT CAN HELP INCREASE MALE ESTROGEN LEVELS
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How Does Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Work
As we age, levels of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can start to fall leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Treatment with bio-identical hormones aims to replace the hormones that have been lost, reinstating normal hormone levels and thereby reducing the severity of the symptoms. Your doctor will help you decide which format is the best choice for you topical cream, gel, spray, vaginal inserts or pills. Is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy safe The many roles of hormones in the body are powerful and it is important to work with a trusted integrative practitioner who can carry out the appropriate expert testing to determine your ideal dosage and form. Correctly dosed bio-identical hormone replacement should be safe your compounding pharmacist will discuss the risks and side effects to look out for, and help you adjust dosages where needed.
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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Post Menopausal Hormon Replacement Therapy
How prevalent is heart disease among women?
Female Reproductive Organs
Cardiovascular disease is NOT just a mans disease. Cardiovascular disease is the Number 1 killer of women over age 25 in the United States, regardless of race or ethnicity. Once a woman reaches the age of 50 , the risk for heart disease increases. In young women who have undergone early or surgical menopause, the risk for heart disease is also higher, especially when combined with other risk factors such as:
- Diabetes
- Elevated LDL cholesterol
- Low HDL cholesterol, sometimes called “good” cholesterol
- Obesity
- Family history of heart disease
What is menopause?
Menopause is a normal stage in a womans life. The term menopause is commonly used to describe any of the changes a woman experiences either before or after she stops menstruating. As menopause nears, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen , causing changes in the menstrual cycle and other physical changes. The most common symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, emotional changes and changes in the vagina .
Technically, menopause is the end of a womans reproductive cycle, when the ovaries no longer produce eggs and she has her last menstrual cycle. The diagnosis of menopause is not confirmed until a woman has not had her period for six to twelve consecutive months.
How is heart disease associated with menopause?
What can be done to reduce the risk of heart disease for menopausal women?
Navigating Female Hormones: A Pharmacists Guide To Hrt
Ashley Firm, PharmD
US Pharm. 2015 40:33-37.
ABSTRACT: Hormone replacement therapy is an important element of managing symptoms experienced by menopausal women. Both synthetic and compounded hormone replacement products are widely used to manage decreased sexual function and unwanted vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. Given the vast number of hormone combinations and delivery methods available, selection of the proper product is dependent on symptoms, adverse events, and patient-specific factors. Pharmacists can play a large part in helping patients and prescribers with product selection and symptom management. In order to do this, it is important for pharmacists to understand the role of hormones in the female body and the symptoms associated with hormone excess and deficiency.
Hormone replacement therapy is a key element of managing the symptoms experienced by menopausal women. The objective of this article is to discuss the general role of hormones in the female body, symptoms caused by hormone excess and deficiency, and options for replacement therapy. The reader will become familiar with products currently on the market and with the role pharmacists can play in the management of HRT in female patients going through menopause.
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How To Balance Hormones Naturally
1. Swap Carbs for Healthy Fats
Foods that balance hormones include a variety of fat-containing foods that provide short, medium and long-chain fatty acids. Your body needs various types of fats to create hormones, including saturated fat and cholesterol.
Not only are these essential fats fundamental building blocks for hormone production, but they keep inflammation levels low, boost your metabolism and promote weight loss.
Healthy fats have the opposite effect of refined carbohydrates, which lead to inflammation and can mess with the balance of your hormones.
My four favorite sources of anti-inflammatory, healthy fats include:
- coconut oil, avocados, grass-fed butter and wild-caught salmon.
- Coconut oil uses are plentiful for example, coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial and fat-burning effects.
- Avocado benefits include improving heart health, lowering inflammation, controlling your appetite and contributing to your daily intake of fiber and nutrients such as potassium.
- Salmon nutrition is also impressive: its one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to lower inflammation and help with cognitive functions. Omega-3 fatty acids are a large component of brain-cell membranes and are important for cell-to-cell communication in the brain. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids help protect against hippocampal neuronal loss and reduce pro-inflammatory responses.
2. Supplement to Fill Nutritional Voids
3. Address Emotional Imbalances
6. Get More Sleep
How To Use Estrace
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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Hormone Replacement Therapy Update
To learn more about women’s health, and specifically hormone replacement therapy, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health started a large study in 1991 .It was called the Women’s Health Initiative . The hormone trial had two studies: the estrogen-plus-progestin study of women with a uterus and the estrogen-alone study of women without a uterus. Both studies were concluded early when the research showed that hormone replacement did not help prevent heart disease and it increased risk for some medical problems.
The FDA states that hormone therapy should not be taken to prevent heart disease.
These products are approved therapies for relief from moderate to severe hot flashes and symptoms of vaginal dryness. Although hormone therapy may help prevent osteoporosis, it should only be considered for women at high risk of osteoporosis who cannot take non-estrogen medicines. The FDA recommends hormone therapy be used at the lowest doses for the shortest duration needed to achieve treatment goals. Postmenopausal women who use or are considering using hormone therapy should discuss the possible benefits and risks to them with their healthcare provider.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers the following suggestions for women who are deciding whether or not to use postmenopausal hormone therapy:
Always see your healthcare provider for more information.
Who Shouldn’t Take Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is not usually recommended if you:
- Have or had breast cancer or endometrial cancer.
- Have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Less common side effects of hormone therapy include:
- Fluid retention.
- Skin discoloration .
- Increased breast density making mammogram interpretation more difficult.
- Skin irritation under estrogen patch.
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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
What Is Known About Hormone Therapy And The Risk Of Heart Disease
Scientists continue to learn about the effects of HT on the heart and blood vessels. Many large clinical trials have attempted to answer questions about HT and heart disease. Some have shown positive effects in women who started HT within 10 years of menopause some have shown negative effects when started greater than 10 years of menopause. Some studies have raised more questions about the potential benefits of HT.
Based on the data, the American Heart Association issued a statement for use of HT. They say:
- Hormone therapy for the sole purpose of preventing heart disease is not recommended.
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Can Help Correct Some Adrenal Problems
The adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, are one of the main producers of DHEA .
Some individuals have a condition called adrenal insufficiency, in which the adrenal glands cant produce normal amounts of hormones.
This condition can produce fatigue, weakness and changes in blood pressure. It can even progress to become life-threatening .
DHEA supplements have been examined as a way to treat symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. Some research indicates that they may improve the quality of life in these individuals (
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
-
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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Mood And Memory Effects
Psychological symptoms include , poor memory, inability to concentrate, depressive mood, , , and less .
can be confused with the that precedes . Tentative evidence has found that forgetfulness affects about half of menopausal women and is probably caused by the effects of declining estrogen levels on the brain, or perhaps by reduced blood flow to the brain during .
How To Balance Hormones And Estrogen
The body is always working to maintain hormone balance, but in todays environment, most people could use some help. Environmental toxins,lack of exercise, dietary influences, and other factors can throw your hormones out of balance. Hormone imbalances can cause issues and symptoms that affect quality of life, and over time, increase the risks of hormone-related health issues, reproductive problems, unhealthy weight, and more. Heres what you need to know about balancing hormones and estrogen and prioritizing your hormonal health.
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When Estrogen Is Lower During The Late Luteal Phase And The Start Of The Period You May Notice Some Changes
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Your overall body temperature will increase slightly during this phase.
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One study found that 2 out of 5 women report more sensitive skin, which researchers suspect could be due to low levels of estrogen during this time .
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Premenstrual symptoms also show up during this time before the period starts, when estrogen are low.
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Some people may even get migraine headaches that are related to the drop in estrogen levels .
How Can I Reduce These Side Effects Of Hormone Therapy
In most cases, these side effects are mild and dont require you to stop your HT. If your symptoms bother you, ask your healthcare provider about adjusting either the dosage or the form of the HT to reduce the side effects. Never make changes in your medication or stop taking it without first consulting your provider.
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Estrogen And The Cardiovascular System
Scientists are still learning about the actions of estrogen in the body. Studies have shown that estrogen affects almost every tissue or organ system, including the heart and blood vessels. Estrogens known effects on the cardiovascular system include a mix of positive and negative:
- Increases HDL cholesterol
- Promotes blood clot formation, and also causes some changes that have the opposite effect
- Relaxes, smooths and dilates blood vessels so blood flow increases
- Soaks up free radicals, naturally occurring particles in the blood that can damage the arteries and other tissues.
Estrogen probably affects the cardiovascular system in other ways that are as yet undiscovered. New research continues to give scientists and physicians more information and raise more questions about this important and controversial hormone.
Over the years, evidence was accumulating that suggested estrogen also helped protect women against heart disease. With heart disease is the number one killer among women over age 65, this is an important issue. Women develop heart disease 10 years later than men, but by age 65, their risk is equal to that of men.
What Happens If I Have Too Little Oestradiol
Oestradiol is necessary for bone development, so people with low oestradiol tend to have skeletal problems like inadequate bone growth and osteoporosis. Girls will also encounter problems at puberty such as a delay in, or failure of, breast development, a disrupted or absent menstrual cycle and infertility. Oestradiol also has important roles in the brain, where low levels can cause depression, fatigue and mood swings.
A womans oestradiol production falls naturally at the menopause and causes many of its symptoms. Initially these include night sweats, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and mood swings, while in the long term she is more likely to develop osteoporosis. Oestradiol is used in hormone replacement therapy to relieve these symptoms of the menopause in women. There are many recognised pros and cons to hormone replacement therapy. See the articles on menopause and What is HRT? for more information.
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