low estrogen side effects

Physical side effects of low estrogen include:

• Headaches
• Backaches
• Hot flashes
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light
• Abdominal pain

Full Answer

What are the symptoms of low estrogen?

This is a natural process that usually occurs during midlife, when estrogen levels drop and your menstrual periods end. Low estrogen can lead to a range of symptoms, such as hot flashes, poor sleep, vaginal dryness, and mood changes.

What does low estrogen feel like?

When estrogen levels are low, your blood vessels become more sensitive to other factors that may influence their constriction. This heightened inclination of your blood vessels to constrict is also what contributes to night sweats or hot flashes. Experiencing this symptom of low estrogen is most common around the start of your period.

What are the side effects of not enough estrogen?

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.

What causes low level of estrogen?

Low estrogen is a hormone deficiency that can be caused by underlying health problems like autoimmune diseases and treatments such as chemotherapy. But the most common cause of low estrogen is menopause. This is a natural process that usually occurs during midlife, when estrogen levels drop and your menstrual periods end.

What are the signs of low estrogen?

Common symptoms of low estrogen include:painful sex due to a lack of vaginal lubrication.an increase in urinary tract infection (UTIs) due to a thinning of the urethra.irregular or absent periods.shifts in mood.hot flashes.breast tenderness.headaches or accentuation of pre-existing migraines.depression.More items...

How can I raise my estrogen levels quickly?

FoodSoybeans. Soybeans and the products produced from them, such as tofu and miso, are a great source of phytoestrogens . ... Flax seeds. Flax seeds also contain high amounts of phytoestrogens. ... Sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are another dietary source of phytoestrogens.

How do you fix low estrogen?

Hormone replacement therapy Treatment can come in many forms, and your OBGYN will help you choose what's best. Vaginal rings, estrogen creams, vaginal estrogen tablets, and estrogen patches and pills are all possible forms of estrogen therapy treatment for vaginal atrophy and low estrogen.

How can I regain estrogen naturally?

7 Ways You Can Boost Estrogen NaturallyPhytoestrogen-Rich Foods. Phytoestrogens, found in plants and plant-based foods, have a similar structure to estradiol, which is the strongest of the estrogen hormones. ... B Vitamins. ... Vitamin D. ... Chasteberry (also known as Vitex Agnus-Castus) ... Boron. ... Black Cohosh. ... Evening Primrose Oil.

How do you know if you have low estrogen?

Common symptoms of low estrogen include: painful sex due to a lack of vaginal lubrication. an increase in urinary tract infection (UTIs) due to a thinning of the urethra. irregular or absent periods. shifts in mood. hot flashes.

What is the cause of low estrogen?

premature ovarian failure, which can result from genetic irregularities, toxins, or an autoimmune condition. Turner syndrome. chronic kidney disease. In women over 40 years old, low estrogen can be a sign of approaching menopause.

Why do you need HRT?

HRT is used to increase your body’s natural hormone levels. Your doctor may recommend HRT if you’re approaching menopause. Menopause causes your estrogen and progesterone levels to significantly decrease. HRT can help return these levels to normal.

How long does estrogen therapy last?

Estrogen therapy may also ease the severity of menopausal symptoms and reduce your risk for fractures. Estrogen therapy is only recommended for 1 to 2 years. This is because estrogen therapy may increase your risk for cancer.

Why do women gain weight during menopause?

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.

What is the best treatment for low estrogen?

Hormonal treatment is the standard for low estrogen. There are non-hormonal options to help relieve symptoms. Non-hormonal options are preferred for women at high risk for breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, or liver disease.

How old do you have to be to take estrogen?

Women between ages 25 to 50 years old who are estrogen deficient are generally prescribed estrogen, which can reduce the risk of:

What happens when estrogen levels are low?

Another strange thing that happens when estrogen levels are too low is bone deterioration. Your bones need estrogen to maintain strength and density. They can fracture more readily when estrogen is low because this hormone works in tandem with calcium, vitamin D, and various minerals.

What is the best treatment for low estrogen levels?

Treatment can come in many forms, and your OBGYN will help you choose what’s best. Vaginal rings, estrogen creams, vaginal estrogen tablets, and estrogen patches and pills are all possible forms of estrogen therapy treatment for vaginal atrophy and low estrogen.

What does estrogen do?

Estrogen is necessary for sexual development during puberty, breast changes during puberty and pregnancy, cholesterol metabolism, and bone metabolism. It also helps the lining of the uterus grow as needed during menstruation and early stages of pregnancy.

What hormone sets women apart from men?

To stay healthy and feeling good, it’s important to have adequate amounts of estrogen. When we’re low in this particular hormone, a host of irritating symptoms typically occurs. Let’s take a look at 10 symptoms of low estrogen and what we can do to treat it.

Where is estrogen produced?

All estrogen is produced within the ovaries. This means that the health of your ovaries is directly linked to estrogen production. During perimenopause, the ovaries make less estrogen than they used to. This decline is a natural part of life. Then when menopause hits, estrogen production stops. However, other factors can impact estrogen production, such as:

How to heal hormonally?

A healthy diet can speed healing, no matter what ails you. You can eat certain foods to support hormonal health. Always eat as many whole foods as you possibly can and avoid the processed and sugary ones. Organic veggies and fruits, lots of water and herbal teas, and fibrous foods like apples, pears, berries, avocados, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds are all beneficial for your body.

How to deal with hormonal imbalances?

Which means, what works for one woman won’t always work for another. Bring loads of love and care to yourself, and pay attention to how you feel . Self-compassion goes a long way when you’re dealing with hormonal imbalances. Be open with your doctor and tell them how you feel as you seek treatment.

What happens if you have low estrogen?

Low estrogen may lead to missed or irregular periods. Infertility : Low estrogen levels can prevent ovulation and make getting pregnant difficult, leading to infertility.

How to tell if estrogen is low?

A diagnosis of low estrogen often starts with a physical exam, medical history, and a review of symptoms. Telltale indicators of low estrogen include hot flashes and missed periods. But some of these symptoms can also occur as a result of other conditions, including thyroid problems.

What is the best treatment for low estrogen levels?

Typically, doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for low estrogen levels. Different types of HRT are available. Sometimes, doctors suggest a combination hormone therapy that contains estrogen and progesterone. The combination of hormones may be effective in balancing estrogen levels in some women experiencing symptoms.

Why does estrogen drop during menopause?

Estrogen levels can also decline for several other reasons including: premature ovarian failure.

What are the side effects of HRT?

Side effects from HRT may include bloating, headaches, and vaginal bleeding.

What hormones are most often associated with females?

Estrogen is a hormone that is most often associated with females, although men do produce small amounts. Declining estrogen can lead to a variety of health concerns and symptoms.

Why does estrogen drop?

Levels of estrogen vary for many reasons. Any condition that affects or damages the ovaries can cause a decrease in estrogen levels in the body. The most significant risk factor for having low estrogen is age. As women age and approach menopause, it is normal for estrogen levels to drop. In fact, estrogen levels start to lower several years ...

What are the side effects of low estrogen?

Physical side effects of low estrogen include: Headaches. Backaches. Hot flashes.

What happens to estrogen levels during menopause?

When a woman reaches menopause, estrogen production will slow down. Although there are many other factors that can contribute to low estrogen levels, women approaching menopause will see a decrease in estrogen levels and their bodies must make an adjustment.

What are some ways to help women during menopause?

Some alternative medicines like aromatherapy, massages, herbal supplements, and teas have been known to help women find peace and ensure the well being of their bodies during menopause nourishing the production of hormones. These treatments are safe and can be taken along side others.

How to adjust to a woman's reproductive life?

Many women find the final stages of their reproductive life discomforting, and with all of the side effects it becomes a challenging part in any woman's life. Lifestyle changes such as exercise and eating a healthy diet can help the body adjust to the new changes.

Is it safe to take hormone replacement therapy?

These treatments are safe and can be taken along side others. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is also an option that puts hormones into the body to cancel out the fluctu ating levels. However, it is important to talk to your doctor about all of the health risks related to this treatment method.

Does estrogen fluctuate during menopause?

Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout a woman's life. Some of these fluctuations are normal and estrogen production will slow with the onset of menopause. Many women have a hard time adjusting to the new mental and physical changes, as well as the added stress that can be put on the body from menopausal side effects.

What to do if you have low estrogen?

If you notice signs and symptoms of low estrogen, you should contact your doctor to discuss what’s happening. You can discuss with your doctor if there are blood tests recommended to check your overall health. Make sure you are up to date on your Pap smear test, which checks for cervical cancer. Call your doctor if:

What does estrogen do to skin?

Skin changes: Your skin has receptors for estrogen, which helps with moisture retention. Estrogen-deficient skin is associated with aging. It has fine wrinkles and less elasticity, as well as dryness and poor wound healing. 6.

What is the role of estrogen in the uterus?

It is a hormone responsible for maintaining vaginal blood flow and lubrication, thickening the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle, and preserving bone density. Low estrogen can happen across life stages.

Can low estrogen cause perimenopause?

Low estrogen levels affect your whole body. While they could be a normal part of life, especially during puberty and perimenopause, they could also be a result of certain medications or conditions. If you have symptoms of low estrogen, check with your doctor to make sure there isn't something more serious going on.

Does estrogen affect cholesterol?

Heart disease: Estrogen has protective effects on your artery walls and helps keep blood vessels flexible while also increasing healthy cholesterol (HDL) and decreasing unhealthy cholesterol. 3 So when estrogen levels decline, the reverse happens.

Can low estrogen cause complications?

Complications. Women with low estrogen levels may not have noticeable symptoms. 2 This can increase the likelihood of not catching the problem early on and experiencing complications. Potential complications of untreated low estrogen include:

Can you put estrogen on the side every morning?

Whether you're in the diagnostic process or still working to balance your hormones, having low estrogen is something you can't put to the side every morning when you start work or when you need to be there for your partner, friends, children, or pets.

How does estrogen affect the heart?

Researchers believe the body’s estrogen protects the heart by improving the balance of blood lipids in favor of HDLs (the “good cholesterol”). Estrogen also dilates the coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart. The sharp drop in estrogen at menopause can pose a threat for those already at risk for coronary heart disease. While hormone replacement therapy can reduce heart disease risk up to 50 percent, exercise, proper diet, and other lifestyle steps can help, too. The first step is to fill up on heart-nourishing foods, such as:

How much bone loss happens during menopause?

As estrogen levels decline, the rate of bone loss increases, and may reach as high as 3 to 4 percent per year around the time of menopause. An alarming 40 percent of women over fifty suffer bone fractures—often with disastrous consequences to their quality of life. To help fill your nutrient gap:

What hormone keeps you in control?

Estrogen can be seemingly heaven-sent. It’s tough, powerful, and keeps you in-control. Estrogen keeps you full of serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter that keeps your sleep and appetite cruising at perfect speed. It stabilizes your mood and fires up your sex drive.

Does estrogen affect the body?

The loss of reproductive levels of estrogen can have profound long-term effects on the body, because it removes a layer of protection against certain diseases. This can be happening even if you’re not experiencing any overt symptoms.

Is menopause a disease?

Remember, even though it sometimes feels like one, menopause is not a disease. Nothing has gone “wrong” with our bodies. At the same time, we should do everything we can to reduce the symptoms and long-term health risks associated with menopause, to ensure the highest quality of life, including:

Does estrogen help Alzheimer's?

Some researchers believe there is a link between loss of estrogen and a decline in long-term cognitive health, and speculate that estrogen replacement may help prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease. According to the National Institute on Aging, animal and observational studies of estrogen’s benefits in this area have been promising but not conclusive, and more research needs to be done. Meanwhile, brain-healthy lifestyle habits include staying active—both physically and mentally—and taking antioxidant supplements.

Is estrogen good for the brain?

According to the National Institute on Aging, animal and observational studies of estrogen’s benefits in this area have been promising but not conclusive, and more research needs to be done. Meanwhile, brain-healthy lifestyle habits include staying active—both physically and mentally—and taking antioxidant supplements.

What are the side effects of a syringe?

rash. shortness of breath. skin redness. swelling of eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet. tightness in the chest. trouble with breathing or swallowing. vomiting. wheezing. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.

Can you take estrogen vaginally?

The risk of any serious adverse effect is unlikely for most women using low doses of estrogens vaginally. Even women with special risks have used vaginal estrogens without problems.

Can you have monthly bleeding after hysterectomy?

However, monthly bleeding will not occur in women who have had the uterus removed by surgery (hysterectomy). Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Does estrogen cause vaginal bleeding?

Also, many women who are using estrogens with a progestin (another female hormone) will start having monthly vaginal bleeding that is similar to menstrual periods. This effect will continue for as long as the medicine is taken. However, monthly bleeding will not occur in women who have had the uterus removed by surgery (hysterectomy).

What happens when estrogen levels are low?

When estrogen levels are low, a thinning of the urethra occur s. This can lead to an increase in urinary tract infections. If you’ve been getting several UTIs, considering getting your estrogen levels tested.

How to tell if estrogen is low?

While headaches have many causes, low levels of estrogen is a common one for women. One way to tell if estrogen levels are causing your headaches: consistency. If you’re getting the same type of headache at around the same time of each month, they could be estrogen-related.

What is the role of estrogen in our body?

It regulates our body’s development, our mental well-being, our emotional fortitude, our cognitive discipline, our sexual drive… essential components of our livelihood. As we age, women naturally lose estrogen and men lose testosterone.

What happens if you drop estrogen?

Foods high in these elements can lead to weight gain and water retention. Estrogen also decreases your levels of leptin, which can act as an appetite suppressant.

Can low estrogen cause hormonal imbalance?

Low amounts of estrogen can affect many of your body’s systems. By recognizing the symptoms of low estrogen, you can take steps to correct this hormonal imbalance.

Does estrogen cause periods to stop?

Your menstrual cycle is primarily driven by estrogen. Low estrogen can result in your period becoming irregular or stopping altogether. It can also prevent ovulation, resulting in infertility.

Does estrogen affect weight gain?

In addition to weight gain, low estrogen can change the distribution of weight in your body. This means you’re gaining more weight in new areas, which could cause problems for your cardiovascular health.