Are you concerned that you might have low estrogen? Low estrogen in women is a hormonal issue that can have detrimental effects on women’s health. While symptoms affecting sexual health are the most obvious signs of low estrogen, this imbalance can also put you at risk for osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, chronic dry skin, premature skin aging, and more over time. Low estrogen should never be ignored. Using a mix of hormone therapy and lifestyle changes, many women are able to balance their estrogen levels to live symptom-free lives.
Symptoms of Low Estrogen
Low estrogen can impact everything from menstrual health to the way we sleep. While estrogen production is naturally reduced as we age as a part of menopause, some women experience dramatic symptoms that reduce their quality of life. However, various factors can cause some women to experience dips in estrogen production earlier in life. This can include everything from certain medical treatments to eating disorders.
Vaginal Dryness
When estrogen dips, the vaginal walls actually “thin out.” That’s because estrogen helps to maintain the thickness and elasticity of the walls of the vagina. Estrogen also produces natural lubrication. Thinning vaginal walls result in fewer cells that are capable of producing moisture, therefore causing vaginal dryness.
Mood Swings
Yes, low estrogen can make you moody. While the physical manifestations of low estrogen levels can be difficult to live with, many women find the mood swings and emotional instability that accompany low estrogen to be the most disruptive. Dipping hormone levels may make you feel depressed, anxious, snappy, or unable to cope with challenges.
Fatigue
Did you know that estrogen actually plays an important role in regulating the brain? One of the most notable roles of estrogen is the way it helps to regulate cortisol signaling. When estrogen decreases, the unregulated release of cortisol can increase the body’s stress response to leave you in a constant state of fatigue. It can be like your body’s “alarm bells” are going off 24 hours a day. It’s common for women with low estrogen to feel like they are dragging themselves through the day. They may also suffer from midday energy crashes or fall asleep hours earlier than their usual bedtimes.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Sweating and overheating are two of the most unpleasant symptoms of low estrogen. In addition to being unpleasant on their own, hot flashes and sweating also commonly cause sleep disturbances. When combined with mood swings and hormone-related fatigue, poor sleep can feel like the final straw that makes life overwhelming. Changing estrogen levels can essentially rewire a region of the brain called the hypothalamus that helps to regulate body temperature. A dip in estrogen triggers the hypothalamus to be more sensitive to temperature changes that are perceived by the body. As a result, the hypothalamus overcompensates by activating sweating at times when you may not feel warm at all.
Irregular or Absent Menstrual Cycles
While all of the other symptoms of low estrogen may be present, it’s usually changes in menstruation that finally make women realize that something is going on with their hormone levels. Low estrogen can cause missed periods or irregular periods. Depending on your age, absent or erratic periods could either indicate menopause or a medical condition that’s preventing your ovaries from producing adequate estrogen levels.
Vaginal Atrophy
It’s common for women with symptoms of low estrogen to experience dramatic changes in sexual health. Vaginal atrophy is caused by a thinning of the lining of the vagina due to low estrogen. The reduction in vaginal fluid that occurs when estrogen dips can also change the acid balance within the vagina. You may notice that your vagina feels more fragile and less “stretchy.” The vaginal canal can also shorten.
Infertility
If you’ve been struggling to conceive, it’s important to consider that reduced or absent fertility can be one of the symptoms of low estrogen. Low estrogen in women can inhibit infertility in a number of ways. First, it makes it difficult for the ovaries to release eggs during the fertile window known as ovulation. Even women who do release eggs may have thinning uterine lining that cannot support an embryo. In addition, short menstruation cycles caused by low estrogen can also result in immature eggs that aren’t as likely to be successfully fertilized.
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Low Estrogen Treatment
There are many different ways to treat low estrogen in women today. Treatments are often tailored based on the underlying causes of hormonal imbalance and the nature of the symptoms being experienced. It’s important to work with an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) and women’s health expert to ensure that you’re getting personalized care with access to the full scope of cutting-edge, noninvasive treatments available. Here’s a look at what an approach to treating symptoms of low estrogen might entail.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly used to treat low estrogen during menopause and postmenopause. It is one of the fastest ways to relieve vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and other disruptive symptoms. Many ways of taking hormones including pills, patches, creams, and pellets are available. Hormone replacement therapy has been proven by many years of research to be safe and effective, extending health, longevity, and resilience.
Lifestyle Changes
Low estrogen in women can be at least partially managed by maintaining a healthy weight, staying active with regular exercise, and managing stress levels. Diets that are rich in healthy fats and fiber may be beneficial for hormonal balance. Some women may also benefit from eating estrogen-rich foods or taking supplements that support estrogen production.
Underlying Conditions Treatment
Low estrogen symptoms in women can sometimes be managed by addressing autoimmune disorders or vitamin deficiencies. Additionally, estrogen levels can be affected by genetic disorders, eating disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid disorders.
Dr. Michael Tahery is a Board-Certified Obstetrician Gynecologist (OB/GYN) and Urogynecologist specializing in women’s health with a focus on hormonal balance in Glendale and the Los Angeles area. Call today for a consultation.