Declining estrogen can lead to a variety of health concerns and symptoms. Although estrogen is primarily associated with female development during puberty and the reproductive cycle, it affects everything from bone health to emotional well-being. 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 before menopause occurs a phase called perimenopause. Hormones including estrogen can play a role in weight management and how much fat the body stores. Low estrogen levels, such as during perimenopause and menopause, may contribute to weight gain.
The areas where women store fat may also change during menopause. Typically, women store fat in their hips and thighs. But that changes as estrogen levels drop. According to the Journal of Climacteric , the decrease in estrogen at midlife is associated with an increase in abdominal fat. Although weight gain due to low estrogen levels is typical, it does not have to be inevitable.
Eating a healthful diet and getting regular exercise can help women reduce their chances of weight gain. 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.
To determine the cause of low estrogen, a doctor may do a blood test to check hormone levels. The doctor may also recommend additional tests to rule out other conditions that might be causing symptoms similar to low estrogen.
Not all women require treatment for low estrogen. But if low estrogen symptoms are bothersome, treatment may be recommended. Treatment is individualized based on the cause of low estrogen and the symptoms present. Typically, doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy HRT for low estrogen levels. Different types of HRT are available.
Estradiol suppresses FSH. If your FSH levels are normal but your estradiol levels are high, this indicates that the estradiol is artificially suppressing FSH levels. If you have already begun fertility treatment, your doctor may check your estradiol levels to see how the ovaries are responding to stimulation.
You will probably have your estradiol levels checked via a blood test on day 3 of your menstrual cycle, along with your FSH levels. High levels of estradiol indicate that you might have a problem with your ovarian reserve. It could also mean that the estradiol is suppressing FSH.
Either of these things could mean that you will have more trouble getting pregnant, more trouble ovulating even with treatment , and reduced success with IVF.
In rare cases, high levels of estradiol could indicate an ovarian tumor or hyperthyroidism. On the flip side of hypopituitarism, hyperpituitarism — when the pituitary gland produces too much of one or multiple hormones — can cause excessively high estradiol levels and sometimes infertility.
What's considered "high"? Symptoms of high estrogen levels include :. If you have endometriosis, high estrogen can trigger inflammation and sometimes extreme pain because the hormone controls the growth of uterine tissue. In these instances, birth control containing progestin, a synthetic progesterone, can help reverse the effects. Yes, and on either end of the spectrum. Estrogen is one of the hormones that keep our menstrual cycles going , so when levels are too low or too high, that can cause disruption.
In order to conceive , you need to release an egg during ovulation that's then fertilized by sperm — cycle disruptions can make it harder to pinpoint ovulation and time sex or insemination around the days you're most likely to get pregnant. Decreasing estrogen levels can also indicate that menopause is coming, at which point conception won't be possible. When low estrogen levels cause uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes or vaginal dryness in postmenopausal people, a common treatment is hormone replacement therapy HRT.
Through administering systemic HRT or low-dose vaginal products, synthetic estrogen often combined with synthetic progesterone can improve symptoms. Some people are more sensitive than others to the levels of synthetic estrogen in medications like HRT or hormonal birth control. If you notice unpleasant side effects, your healthcare provider may work with you to find an alternative dose or form of medication. As for lifestyle modifications that are clinically proven to impact estrogen levels?
Conti says no — aside from weight loss if a higher body-fat percentage is leading to increased estrogen. And no, research doesn't back up the rumor that soy intake is linked to high estrogen levels. If you're curious where your estrogen levels are right now, the Modern Fertility Hormone Test is an easy way to check in with them from home.
If you're not on hormonal birth control or you're on certain continuous contraceptives like the minipill or hormonal IUD and still get periods, you'll be able to measure the levels of the estrogen estradiol in your body plus up to six other hormone levels through a simple finger-prick blood test.
If you don't get a period, the Modern Fertility Hormone Test won't be able to measure any "day 3" hormones , including estradiol. About 10 days after you send your sample in, you'll get a personalized digital dashboard breaking down your hormone levels and what they mean for your reproductive health — plus in-depth reports on estrogen and more.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Rachel Mantock is a health, culture, and lifestyle journalist who extensively covers how race and social factors intersect with healthcare access, research, and less favorable outcomes. This is a space for us to talk about health, fertility, careers, and more. All people with ovaries are welcome including trans and non-binary folks!
Estrogen: when it's high, when it's low, and how it changes throughout your life Apr 13, 7 min read. Hormones Fertility Conception. Did you like this article?
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