Causes and Treatment of High & Low Estrogen Levels ; Hormonal Imbalance

Estrogen is one of the important female sex hormones that is produced in the ovaries and regulates various functions of the female body. It is an important hormone for both sexual desire and reproduction in women. It thus become very important to maintain proper estrogen levels in women for healthy sexual growth and balanced life. Low Estrogen levels can lead to many other health issues which at later stage can become disturbing factor for a good sex life.

Sex Hormone Estrogen

Estrogen is one of the important hormones produced by ovaries other than another important hormone progesterone. Estrogen plays an important role in a woman’s sexual behavior or desire however this is not always true.

The production of estrogen increases at puberty. An increase in production lead to breast development, the start of the menstrual cycle, and an increase in the overall growth of females.

According to various researches, few women tend to show a rise in sexual desire with an increase in estrogen which shows women become more interested in sex before the beginning of their menstrual cycle, however, this is not true for all women.

With menopause, the sex drive might reduce or decline due to a decrease in the production of estrogen.

Difference and Significance of Estrogen and Testosterone

Difference – Estrogen, and Testosterone are found in both men and women, however, estrogen is a female hormone and testosterone is a male hormone.

Estrogen plays a very important role in developing sexual characteristics among women and its production increases at puberty and is released by ovaries.

Testosterone is an important male sex hormone that plays an important role in developing male sexual characteristics and is released by the testis.

Significance – Estrogen, and Testosterone are important hormones as estrogen leads to the production of eggs in females and testosterone leads to the production of sperms in males.

Importance of Estrogen Hormone

Estrogen hormone is of three types – Estrone, Estradiol, Estriol

Each one of them has its role, however, estradiol is most common among all and is produced during female reproductive life.

Estrogen carries out important functions like the development of the breast, promoting lubrication in the vagina, growth of egg follicles in ovaries, starting the menstrual cycle, and overall development of the female body.

Other than this it promotes good bone health of both males and females and also promotes good skin and hair health.

How Estrogen Imbalance could Affect the Body?

Hormonal imbalance in the body could lead to various signs and symptoms. Too much secretion or too little secretion of the hormone could affect the overall functioning of the body.

If there is an imbalance in estrogen secretion, one could feel symptoms like fatigue, palpitation, mood swings o a frequent basis, gain in weight or sudden and unexpected weight loss, muscle weakness.

This could occur whenever there is too much or too little hormonal secretion thus it is important to have proper hormonal balance for good overall health.

How Estrogen Levels Affect Sexual Life?

Estrogen is one of the important hormones that are important for sexual desire and sexual arousal. While approaching menopause or the women who are already at menopause their sexual desire decreases due to a decrease in estrogen levels. A decrease in estrogen levels could cause painful intercourse due to a decrease in vaginal lubrication.

The proper balance of estrogen promotes lubrication in the vagina and thus increases the sex drive and sexual desire. Estrogen plays an important role in sexual development.

A decrease in levels of estrogen not only decreases sex drive but also decreases in arousal, less sensitivity to touching thus no interest in sex.

Estrogen and Menstrual Cycle

The Female hormone, Estrogen, is an important hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle.

Estrogen plays a key role during the menstrual cycle.

The rise in estrogen occurs in the first weeks of the menstrual cycle that prepare women for pregnancy, then a drop in estrogen occurs if the egg is not fertilized thus leading to menstruation.

High Estrogen Secretion

An increase in the secretion of estrogen could lead to various signs and symptoms.

Few symptoms of increase in estrogen in females include –

• Mood swings
• Irregular periods
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Light menstrual bleeding
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer

Few symptoms of increase in estrogen in males are –

• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility
• Enlarged breasts

Low estrogen secretion

The Low estrogen levels in body could lead to various signs and symptoms

Symptoms include –

• Missed periods
• Irregular menstruation
• Difficulty in getting pregnant
• Decrease sex drive
• Painful sex
• Decrease in vaginal lubrication
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Weakening of bones
• Irregular sleep
• Hot flashes

Causes of High and Low Estrogen Levels

High Estrogen levels

Various causes of high estrogen levels are –

• Frequent intake of contraceptive pills
• Antibiotics
• Body fat or obesity
• Drugs like phenothiazine are used to treat mental health disorders.

Low Estrogen levels

Various causes of low estrogen levels are –

• Sign of approaching towards menopause in women above 40 years of age.
• Too much exercise
• Genetic abnormalities
• Abnormal functioning of the pituitary gland
• Kidney diseases

How the Diagnosis of Estrogen Level is done?

Consult your doctor if you feel any of the symptoms of high or low estrogen. Based on the causes and symptoms the diagnosis is done and the treatment is started.

A blood test is often suggested, to diagnose high or low estrogen levels. Your doctor would suggest you a blood test to diagnose the hormonal level. The blood test would indicate whether you have high estrogen levels or low estrogen levels.

Based upon that the treatment is often suggested to maintain the hormonal balance.

Treatment for Estrogen levels

Natural ways to boost estrogen

Estrogen balance in the body is important to maintain a healthy body and to have a good sexual life. Few remedies that could boost estrogen levels naturally are:-

Diet Planning

Flax seeds – Flax seeds help in boosting estrogen levels thus maintain good hormonal health.

Vitamin B and D – Vitamins are important for hormonal balance in the body. Vitamin B and D play an important role in maintaining hormonal balance in the body. Also Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B6 intakes improve estrogen metabolism.

Vitamin D also plays an important role in estrogen balance in the body. Thus taking supplements under doctors’ prescription for vitamin D could help in maintain estrogen balance in the body.

Soy – Rich in phytoestrogens, soy in diet could help in balancing estrogen synthesis in the body. Soy also has essential vitamins and minerals and plays a key role in good heart health too. Thus adding soy to the diet not only prevents heart health it also maintains estrogen balance in the body.

Nuts – Nuts are super rich in phytoestrogens and should be added to the diet, but nuts are rich in fat thus their intake should be monitored and regulated.

Lifestyle Modification

Maintaining overall health through lifestyle modification is important and through lifestyle modification, one could maintain estrogen levels in the body.

Regular exercise to maintain overall weight is important. Brisk walking, running, jogging remove the toxins from the body and balance the estrogen levels. But over-exercising could drop estrogen levels, thus it should be done in limit too.

Heath diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables naturally boosts estrogen levels in the body. They contain anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that balance the estrogen levels in the body.

Tobacco in any form is harmful not only for overall health but could also lead to a decrease in estrogen levels.

Regular intake of a large amount of caffeine in the form of tea, coffee also alters estrogen levels thus it should be consumed in moderation.

Maintaining your fluid intake in the form of water, juices, coconut water is important to balance the estrogen levels.

Prevent yourself from stress, anxiety, and depression. Reducing stress helps in maintaining hormonal balance thus preventing a drop in estrogen levels.

Hormonal Replacement Therapy

The Hormonal replacement therapy (combination of estrogen and progesterone ) prescribed by doctors is an effective treatment therapy that balances estrogen levels. The dosage depends on the individual and the symptoms one is suffering from. Low dose help in relieving symptoms, but some women do experience side effects of hormonal therapy like vaginal bleeding, headache.

The doctor takes the proper history, analyzes the symptoms, and finally prescribes the drugs based on the individual case. Always follow your doctor’s advice and instructions after starting the treatment and talk to your doctor immediately if you feel any side effects.

Estrogen Therapy

Estrogen is prescribed to those who have severe estrogen deficiency. The Estrogen therapy is usually prescribed to women who suffer from symptoms during menopause.

Herbal Supplements

Few herbal supplements help in boosting estrogen levels. Herbal supplements such as Chasteberry, Black Cohosh, Red clover increase estrogen levels.

Conclusion

Hormone such as estrogen is important for maintaining overall health. Various causes could decrease estrogen levels. Proper treatment with lifestyle modifications is effective and should be done following doctors’ advice and instructions.

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Dr Jyotsana Anand

Myself Dr Jyotsana Anand, a Dental Surgeon by profession and Writer by passion. I am an avid reader so in my meantime you may find me reading books, novels and researches.

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