Introduction
Estrogen is a sex hormone crucial for maintaining sexual and reproductive health. Its levels naturally fluctuate during the decline during menopause and menstrual cycle. It is a group of hormones that play an essential role in normal sexual and reproductive development in women. The female’s ovaries make most of these hormones, although the fat cells and adrenal glands also make small amounts.
Estrogen
It is one of two sex hormones generally associated with someone’s assigned female at birth (AFAB), including cisgender females, transgender males and nonbinary individuals with vaginas. Along with progesterone, it plays a critical role in reproductive health. The development of secondary sex features (breasts, hips, etc.), menses, pregnancy and menopause are all likely, in part, because of it.
It plays a vital role in other body systems, too. For this reason, although AFAB people have the most estrogen, all genders make this hormone.
What are the types of estrogen?
There are three immediate forms of it:
- Estrone (E1) is what the body makes after menopause.
- Estradiol (E2) enters the body during the reproductive years. It’s the most potent form.
- Estriol (E3) is used during pregnancy.
Where is estrogen located in the body?
The ovaries make most of your estrogen during the reproductive years. Adrenal glands (the glands on the kidneys) and adipose tissue (body fat) secrete estrogen, too. The placenta (the organ that permits nutrient-sharing between parent & fetus) secretes this hormone during pregnancy.
Once it’s removed, it travels via the bloodstream until it reaches the part of the body that must be spurred into action. There, it binds to a protein named an estrogen receptor, which drives the process. Its receptors are found throughout the body.
The usual conditions and disorders associated with estrogen
- Anorexia nervosa: Conditions like anorexia nervosa are associated with lower levels. Too little may cause irregular and missed periods (amenorrhea). People with minimal body fat (models, athletes) or who encounter disordered eating may also have low levels.
- Breast cancer: Long-term openness to high levels of it — innately happening or from some forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or birth control — may raise the risk of breast cancer. HRT comes with both health advantages and risks, which may be more elevated in some people. Your healthcare provider may assist in determining if the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.
- Infertility: Low and high can disrupt the menstrual cycle. Underlying reasons that can lead to low and high level may be associated with infertility.
- Female sexual dysfunction (FSD): Declining levels can cause physical and emotional differences that make sex less enjoyable. Nevertheless, it is not assessed for hormone replacement until you’re menopausal.
- Endometriosis: it doesn’t generate endometriosis, but it may worsen endometriosis pain.
- Fibrocystic breasts: Fluctuating its levels during the menstrual cycle may make the breast tissue feel lumpy, tender, uncomfortable or painful.
- Obesity: Its levels are often taller among people with more body fat.
- Osteoporosis: Low levels may weaken the bones, so they fracture and break more easily.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a disorder that occurs when the ovaries create too numerous androgens (hormones associated with being assigned male at birth). Periodically, with PCOS, its levels are too high around progesterone levels.
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (also called premature menopause): In this situation, the ovaries prematurely stop making eggs (before age 40). Consequently, the ovaries don’t secrete the estrogen the body needs.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): The cyclical hormone modifications associated with menstruation may lead to undesirable physical symptoms and mood shifts. Drops in estrogen following ovulation are a potential cause of PMS and PMDD.
- Turner Syndrome: Ovaries are often underdeveloped in Turner syndrome, resulting in low levels. As a result, people with this condition may not grow breasts or get their periods.
- Uterine cancer (endometrial cancer): High levels may push the lining of the uterus to build up. Finally, cancer cells may start to grow.
- Uterine fibroids and polyps: Too much level may be associated with noncancerous tumours called fibroids or polyps that develop in the uterus.
- Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis): Too little level may generate the lining of the vagina to thin and become dry. Vaginal atrophy is most typical during menopause and postmenopause.
Estrogen and progestrone
Estrogen and progesterone are steroid hormones that control mammalian reproduction. They control the transcription of specific genes, which controls the functioning and development of the uterus.
Estrogen is the hormone that controls the menstrual cycle, while progesterone is the hormone that helps pregnancy. During pregnancy, these two work jointly and are accountable for the changes that take place during pregnancy.
Estrogen in men
It is a hormone that occurs intrinsically in an individual’s body. Too high or too low its levels may cause health problems. It is a sex hormone in males and females, although females have higher levels than males.
The ovaries, fat cells, testes, and adrenal glands make estrogen. It is crucial for female puberty and controlling the menstrual cycle. It is also vital for the male reproductive system.
Low level
There are many reasons why your estrogen levels might fall. Some of these include:
Hypogonadism. This condition can cause your ovaries to slow or stop production of it. Some people are born with it; others develop it later due to injury, infection, or other causes.
Hypopituitarism. Your pituitary gland is key to your ovaries making this hormone. When something goes wrong with the pituitary gland, less level is produced.
Perimenopause and menopause. During perimenopause (the period before menopause) and menopause, your levels of it (mainly the type called estradiol) drop significantly. It also happens if you have your ovaries removed or damaged before age 40, resulting in early menopause.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)- This disorder causes cysts on your ovaries, which can trigger menstrual problems and infertility. A variety of hormonal changes occur with PCOS, including low estrogen.
Anorexia nervosa (eating disorder)- In an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, the body may lose the nutrients it needs to maintain sufficient estrogen.
You may also experience low levels if you have been given certain drugs. For example, some types of breast cancer treatment involve blocking estrogen production. And your levels may be low immediately after childbirth and during breastfeeding.
Why are female athletes and athletes AFAB at risk for low estrogen levels?
Women and people AFAB with low body fat often do not make enough of the sex hormones. It can cause their periods to become irregular or stop. They may also develop osteoporosis — thin bones — and fractures.
High level
During puberty, it’s typical for levels of estrogen to rise. That’s because this hormone fuels changes in a young girl’s body. For example, it plays a role in the development of breasts, fuller hips, and pubic and underarm hair. Its levels also rise during a healthy pregnancy.
Other things that can cause high estrogen include:
- Having high body fat
- Having hormone therapy
- Stress
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Liver problems
Symptoms of high estrogen include having irregular periods and dense breast tissue.
High levels may increase the risk of:
- Breast and ovarian cancers
- Pain from endometriosis
- Insulin resistance
- PCOS
- Uterine cancer
- Tumors on your ovaries and adrenal glands
Some tips to maintain Estrogen levels in the body through diet
If you’re including symptoms associated with low estrogen, there are natural methods you can take. Remember that analysis of these solutions’ ability to manage levels effectively is limited.
Realistic solutions that may enhance low estrogen include:
1. Eating foods that boost estrogen
All plants contain phytochemicals — combinations that work as antioxidants and offer security from DNA damage. One group of phytochemicals, called phytoestrogens, imitates estrogen. When eaten, the body absorbs them during digestion and recognizes them as estrogen.
The most common phytoestrogens are:
- Coumestan
- Isoflavones
- Stilbene
- Lignans
Foods having high levels of these specific phytoestrogens include:
- Grains, such as barley, oats, wheat germ
- Fruits, including apples, peaches, grapes, berries, pears, plums
- Nuts and Seeds, including almonds, peanuts, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds
- Liquids derived from plants, specifically beer, tea, olive oil, red wine, coffee
- Vegetables, particularly broccoli, onions, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach, sprouts
- Soy and soy products, such as tofu, soybeans, miso paste, miso soup
Research suggests that phytoestrogens deliver health benefits if you consume a standard of 50 mg daily. That’s about ½-cup of boiled soybeans.
2. Getting sufficient of the minerals and vitamins that support estrogen levels
Some vitamins and minerals help the body deliver estrogen and use it more effectively. To improve the estrogen levels, consider adding:
- Boron is a mineral that assists the body in absorbing testosterone and estrogen
- Vitamin B, which allows the body to create and use this hormone
- Vitamin D, which assists as a hormone in the body and helps with production
- Vitamin E may assist in reducing hot flashes and insomnia.
3. Taking natural estrogen supplements
Supplements are supposed to relieve the symptoms of low levels. Nevertheless, supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), so talk to the PCP(primary care physician) about any supplements you’re thinking about before taking them.
Natural supplements believed to affect its levels include:
- Black cohosh: Individuals use this Native American herbal treatment to treat menopause signs associated with low levels. One slight examination shows it to be highly effective in treating hot flashes.
- DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): A synthetic version of this inherently occurring hormone — available as powders, pills, and topical therapies — can support other hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
- Red clover: This herbal supplement is very rich in phytoestrogens. Research shows it is sufficient for alleviating hot flashes in menopausal women. Additional study is needed to determine if red clover increases estrogen.
Pills
HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) is a prescription that includes female hormones. You carry the medicine to replace the estrogen that the body stops making during menopause. Hormone therapy is often utilized to treat typical menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal distress.
Cream
Estradiol vaginal cream is a medicine that treats dryness, irritation and pain during sex caused by menopause. Menopause is a natural part of ageing and marks the end of the reproductive years. This hormone comes as a cream that can apply to your vagina as directed.
Conclusion
It is a group of hormones that play an essential role in normal sexual and reproductive development in women. The female’s ovaries make most of these hormones, although the fat cells and adrenal glands also make small amounts.
