The hormone estrogen plays a vital role in women's health throughout their lifespan- and is often part of the reason symptoms of aging begin to occur as estrogen levels naturally decline.
Let's take a look at why estrogen is so important & warning signs to watch for when levels start to decline.
Why estrogen is so important
Estrogen in females helps to control the reproductive system & other body systems throughout our life. The ovaries, adrenal glands & fat tissues produce estrogen. Both females and males produce this hormone, but females create more of it.
Estrogen plays a huge part in your menstrual cycle, getting pregnant, bone development & hair growth. It also helps regulate your moods & impacts your brain development! Consistent low estrogen levels may mean that you’re going through a natural change, like menopause.
What causes low estrogen levels?
While the most common reason for low estrogen is the natural aging process, other factors can contribute. Here are some of the most common:
Autoimmune disease
These diseases attack your ovaries which hinder the production of estrogen.
Genetic conditions
Suffering from conditions such as Turner Syndrome & Fragile X have been linked to low estrogen levels.
Eating disorders
Both anorexia & bulimia deprive the body of the nutrients it needs to function properly. This can lead to imbalanced hormones & low estrogen levels.
Treatments that impact the ovaries
Damage or removal of the ovaries, such as a complete hysterectomy, can greatly affect how much estrogen your body produces.
Symptoms of low estrogen
The symptoms associated with low estrogen in your reproductive years overlap with common symptoms associated with menopause and postmenopause.
Be sure to watch for these signs which point to low estrogen levels in the body: Weight gain Estrogen helps regulate body fat & how it's stored. When estrogen levels drop, you may see an increase in fat storage. Painful sex When levels are low, you will likely experience vaginal dryness, leading to pain during intercourse. Many women also report a decrease in their sex drive when levels are off. Hot flashes Estrogen plays a vital role in the part of your brain that controls your body temperature. When levels are low, your body temperature rises, resulting in night sweats & hot flashes. Mental health problems Estrogen helps to regulate your mood. If you're experiencing sudden mood swings, anxiety or depression, estrogen levels could be to blame. These symptoms are normally worsened if you have a history of mental health issues. Fatigue Estrogen improves the quality of sleep, reduces the time to fall asleep & increases the amount of REM sleep. If your levels are off it can greatly impact the quality & amount of zzzz's your body can get. Increasing estrogen naturally A popular and highly-researched treatment for balancing hormones bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Chemically identical to the natural hormones we produce, pellets deliver customized dosages based on the patient's individual needs. In addition to hormone optimization, here are some natural ways to support hormone balance: Add to Your Diet: Soy Beans, Flax Seeds & Sesame Seeds Take Quality Supplements that include: B Vitamins, Vitamin D, Boron & DHEA, Black Cohosh, Chasteberry, Evening Primrose Oil, Red Clover & Dong Quai The Next Step? Finding a Hormone Specialist. Take the first step by taking our hormone self-assesment quiz. for yourself or your partner. Bioidentical hormone optimization may be the answer you've been looking for if you want to safely & naturally help with menopause symptoms & hormone imbalance.