Estrogen deficiency

Estrogen is mainly produced by the ovaries. When estrogen levels are low, this can have a wide variety of effects on the body. Estrogen levels can also fluctuate or be too low for a variety of reasons. Any condition or illness that affects or damages the ovaries can cause a drop in estrogen levels. Of course, an important factor in low estrogen levels is also age. As women get older and approach menopause, it is normal for estrogen levels to drop. In fact, estrogen levels slowly begin to decline several years before menopause. This phase is also known as perimenopause.

Low estrogen levels can lead to a variety of symptoms and health problems. Although estrogen is primarily associated with female development during puberty and the menstrual cycle, it can affect everything from bone health to emotional well-being.

Estrogen is, among other things, involved in the formation of various neurotransmitters in the brain. These substances, which include serotonin and dopamine have a great influence on our mental health and our mood. If there’s a lack of estrogen, there’s usually also a lack of these messenger substances. The result? We become irritable, moody or even depressed. Our body wants to avoid this at all costs. Therefore, the body demands substances that can ‘make it happy’ again, for example: high amounts of sugar. Unfortunately, this is not a great solution, because the effect is only short-term and high amounts of sugar throw our hormonal balance further off track.

Hormones, including estrogen, play a role in weight control and fat storage in the body. Low estrogen levels may very well contribute to weight gain. In addition, the areas where women store fat may also change. Usually, women store fat mainly in the hip and thigh areas of the body. However, when estrogen levels drop, this can change. According to research, a drop in estrogen is usually accompanied by an increase in abdominal fat. Weight gain due to low estrogen levels is typical but does not necessarily have to occur. Weight gain can be counteracted with a healthy (cycle-friendly) diet and regular exercise.

The general assumption is that estrogen increases serotonin levels, a chemical messenger in the brain that elevates our mood. Consequently, a lack of estrogen can also lead to a decrease in serotonin levels, which can lead to mood swings or depression.

If estrogen is low or if there is an estrogen deficiency, this also affects the regeneration and protective function of the skin and can have several negative effects at once. Skin problems can occur and the skin usually becomes:

• thinner
• drier
• more sensitive
• more sensitive to light
• less elastic

You hear it all the time, especially in connection with menopause: Skin problems are a big issue for many menopausal women. The culprit is the hormonal change that takes place. Estrogens in particular, however, are important for the formation of collagens. These structures keep our skin firm. Fewer collagens can cause first wrinkles to form. The declining hormone levels also mean that the skin can no longer store moisture as well as before. The cells renew more slowly, the skin becomes thinner and less elastic. As a result, it often reacts with hypersensitivity, blemishes or it becomes dry.

Low estrogen levels can lead to reduced blood flow to the vagina, which can cause the tissues of the vagina and labia to become thinner. In this case, they become less sensitive to sexual stimulation. The decreased blood flow also affects vaginal lubrication and general arousal. As a result, women may not enjoy sex as much as before and have difficulty reaching orgasm. Sex can also become uncomfortable or even painful due to a lack of estrogen and natural lubrication.

You’re probably aware of it, but we’ll say it again: chronic, prolonged stress without phases of sufficient relaxation leads to a stress overload of the entire system. High levels of stress hormones also disrupt the regulatory circuits of other hormonal systems in the body. For example, chronic activation of the stress axis has an inhibitory effect on the production of sex hormones. The result can be: low libido in both men and women. Women also often suffer from menstrual irregularities and have trouble conceiving due to stress.

Among other things, estrogen helps keep our bones healthy and strong. If estrogen levels drop or there is a deficiency, bone loss can occur. For example, studies show that post-menopausal women have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and suffering bone fractures.

Estrogen not only protects the bones, but also the joints and has an anti-inflammatory effect. When estrogen levels drop or are too low in general, inflammation in the body can increase, the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis increases and joint pain can occur.

Low estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness, which often results in painful intercourse. There may also be an increase in urinary tract infections due to the thinning of tissue in the urethra that can develop with an estrogen deficiency.

Low estrogen levels can have several causes in women of all ages. For example:

 

• premature failure of the ovaries
• congenital diseases
• thyroid disease
• excessive exercise
• severe underweight
• chemotherapy
• hypofunction of the pituitary gland
• Hormonal problems in the family may increase the risk of developing low estrogen.
• Adrenal insufficiency: in adrenal insufficiency, the adrenal glands don’t produce enough DHEA (short for dehydroepiandrosterone). DHEA is a precursor of estrogen.
• Luteal insufficiency: Luteal insufficiency can also lead to estrogen deficiency.

Diagnosis of estrogen deficiency usually starts with a physical exam, examining your medical history and a thorough review of symptoms. Typical signs of estrogen deficiency include hot flashes and missed periods. However, some of these symptoms could also occur as a result of other conditions, such as thyroid problems. To determine the cause of estrogen deficiency, a specialist may perform tests to check your hormone levels. Usually, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed for low estrogen. Hormone replacement therapy can, of course, come with a wide variety of side effects such as bloating, headaches and bleeding. Of course, the first thing to do is to investigate and find out why there is a lack of estrogen in the body.

There don’t seem to be many scientifically proven methods for naturally increasing estrogen levels. However, some lifestyle and dietary changes may be helpful. Since being underweight is often associated with decreasing estrogen levels and estrogen deficiency, maintaining a healthy weight can certainly be helpful. Excessive exercise can also lead to estrogen deficiency. Therefore, in the case of over-exercising, reducing exercise may likewise help to increase estrogen levels naturally.

Agnus Castus may improve female fertility due to its effect on prolactin levels. This may be particularly the case in women with a luteal phase disorder or a shortened second half of the menstrual cycle.

Turmeric is an Ayurvedic spice that is believed to have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effect on the body, it also improves estrogen metabolism. If there is an excessively high estrogen level or estrogen dominance, turmeric can be a wonderful supplement.

Evening primrose oil is known for its phytoestrogenic properties. Phytoestrogens are secondary plant compounds that are very similar to the natural form of estrogen. Many menopausal women use evening primrose oil to improve hot flashes and night sweats.

Unfortunately, there are not many natural methods to increase estrogen based on scientific results. The first priority is to find out why there is a deficiency of estrogen. Subsequently, you could start with lifestyle changes and targeted nutritional strategies.

Some studies have been done on the benefits of soy in treating estrogen deficiency symptoms. There are conflicting research findings on the benefits of soy in increasing estrogen levels. However, one small study suggests that soy isoflavones may relieve menopausal symptoms caused by declining estrogen levels. Before consuming increased amounts of soy or taking a soy supplement, however, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Yes, estrogen is one of the most important hormones influencing the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of estrogen deficiency often include irregular periods. So yes, low estrogen levels can lead to a complete loss of periods (amenorrhea) or irregular periods.

Low estrogen levels can also prevent ovulation, making it much more difficult to fall pregnant.

In the first half of the cycle, everything revolves around follicle maturation and ovulation. A lack of estrogen during this time can mean that the eggs cannot mature sufficiently. Ovulation may also simply fail to occur altogether if there is too little estrogen present in the body.

It is not surprising: age is the most important factor as far as low estrogen levels are concerned. As a woman approaches the age of 47+, estrogen levels fluctuate for several years until menopause is complete. A family history of hormonal problems is also always a risk factor for low estrogen. In young women, irregular cycles and loss of periods are common symptoms of estrogen deficiency due to hypogonadism (when the gonads produce too little or no sex hormones). Amenorrhea (loss of periods) is a common condition affecting up to 3-5% of young women. In most studies that primarily examine the effects of hypogonadism on bone density in young women, estrogen deficiency is associated with factors such as nutritional deficiencies, malignancies (cancers), chemotherapy, or excessive exercise, among others. Premature menopause affects 1 in 250 women by age 35 and 1 in 100 women by age 40. Studies show that young women with estrogen deficiency have lower bone density.

Hormonal contraceptives could certainly cause estrogen deficiency at a young age because the synthetic estrogens in the birth control pill suppress the body’s own natural estrogen. If the synthetic estrogen is not sufficiently replacing the body’s own estrogen, this can lead to estrogen deficiency.

Low estrogen levels can have a devastating effect on pregnancy, leading to miscarriages, a lower number of eggs in a newborn woman, and thus future fertility problems in female babies. After delivery, estrogen levels drop, and they usually remain low as long as breastfeeding continues.

Yes, a lack of estrogen can also affect fertility by preventing ovulation. In addition, when there is too little estrogen, the lining of the uterus usually does not thicken enough, preventing a fertilized egg from being able to implant successfully.

During menopause, the hormone balance slowly changes. This is quite normal, but it usually doesn’t happen ‘evenly’. Especially at the beginning of this phase, it is not uncommon for stronger fluctuations to occur. If ovulation no longer occurs, there is usually a decline in progesterone. The production of estrogens also gradually declines. The two hormones are thus imbalanced for some time. Once a woman leaves her reproductive years in life, the body simply no longer needs as much estrogen and progesterone. However, low hormone levels can cause a number of health problems. Among other things, it affects:

 

• The brain and nervous system: there can be a mix of emotional and physical symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety and depression, memory loss, hot flashes, fatigue and night sweats.
• The urinary system: the lining of the urethra becomes drier, thinner and less elastic, often leading to incontinence and more frequent urinary tract infections.
• The vagina: The same problems affect the vaginal tissues, which can lead to inflammation, irritation, discomfort, less lubrication and pain during sex.

Sources:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-estrogen-deficiency-really-a-thing/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321064#natural-remedies

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24734243/

https://www.prolianceorthopedicassociates.com/news/the-link-between-menopause-and-joint-pain

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15145274/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2708959/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320266