Although estrogen is mainly linked with female sexual development throughout puberty and the reproductive period, it has an influence on everything from skeletal tone to mental welfare. Having optimally high levels of estrogen promotes lubrication in the vagina and enhances sexual appetite.
Inadequacy of estrogen in the body can occur in females of all ages due to several reasons. Decreasing estrogen can give rise to a variety of women's sexual health problems and symptoms.
Effects of Low Estrogen
Signs of decreased estrogen can include the following:
● Irregular periods: Estrogen being one of the primary hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. Low estrogen can cause periods to miss or become irregular.
● Infertility: Low estrogen levels raise the risk of infertility by preventing ovulation and making pregnancy difficult to achieve.
● Weak bones: Estrogen assists in keeping the bones healthy and strong. A decrease in estrogen levels results in bone loss. For instance, post-menopausal women develop the risk of osteoporosis and bone cracks.
● Painful intercourse: Estrogen induces vaginal lubrication. If levels drop too low, the vagina becomes dry, which makes sex painful and meanwhile affects female sexual health.
● Hot flashes: Hot flashes often arise due to lowering estrogen levels during menopause.
● Depression: Estrogen is considered to raise serotonin levels in the body, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain that lifts mood. Lack of estrogen causes a drop in serotonin and the person experiences mood swings or depression.
● Increased risk of urinary tract infections: Persistent urinary tract infections can occur because of the thinning of the urethral tissue, which can happen with reduced estrogen.
Causes of Low Estrogen
There could be many reasons why levels of estrogen fluctuate. Any health problem that impairs or damages the ovaries can make the estrogen levels fall in the body and give rise to women's sexual health problems.
The most notable chance for having decreased estrogen is the old age. As females age and enter menopause, it is common for estrogen levels to fall.
However, the fact is estrogen levels begin to drop some years before menopause actually takes place. It is called the perimenopausal phase.
Levels can also diminish for various other reasons that include:
● premature ovarian failure
● thyroid disorders
● congenital conditions (eg. Turner syndrome)
● being critically underweight
● low-functioning pituitary gland
● extreme exercise
● chemotherapy
Sharing a family history of hormonal difficulties also increases a woman’s risk of producing low estrogen.
Diagnosis
An investigation of lowered estrogen usually begins with a physical examination, analysis of medical history, and evaluation of the symptoms. Hot flashes and irregular periods are notable manifestations of low estrogen. But a few of these indications can also happen due to the presence of other conditions, such as thyroid problems.
To discover the root cause of low estrogen, a physician may suggest you get a blood test to monitor hormone levels. The doctor might also prescribe further tests to discover other conditions that could be producing symptoms comparable to low estrogen that concern female sexual health.
Treatment Options
Not every woman needs treatment for low estrogen. But if the symptoms are troublesome and they disturb female sexual health, treatment may be advised. Treatment is carried out based on what lowers the estrogen and makes symptoms appear.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is the doctors' most recommended way to treat low estrogen. Various types of HRT are prepared. Sometimes, practitioners propose a combination of hormone therapy containing both estrogen and progesterone. The blend of hormones might prove effective in restoring estrogen levels in women experiencing symptoms and recover them from related women's sexual health problems.
Doctors usually prescribe combination HRT for women that are reaching menopause or the ones undergoing post-menopausal symptoms. Side effects of HRT are mild, including headaches, bloating, and vaginal bleeding.
HRT comes in custom-compounded dosage forms that can be taken orally, vaginally, topically, or pellets can be inserted beneath the skin. In some situations, women can receive HRT injection. The recommended dose varies from individual to individual. Usually, that dosage requires to get compounded from a reputable compounding pharmacy. This gives you the opportunity to choose methods of administration that befit your choices and lifestyle. Women considering HRT must consult her physician about the hazards and the advantages.
Estrogen Therapy
Sometimes, doctors designate estrogen alone as a treatment for some estrogen-deficient women; for instance, women who had their ovaries eliminated. Sometimes, a specialist prescribes estrogen therapy to alleviate the annoying menopausal symptoms.
Natural Remedies
There are not many research-based proven ways that increase estrogen levels practicing natural remedies. However, some diet and lifestyle changes might help.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Being extremely skinny or underweight can cause estrogen levels to fall, so keeping a normal weight may benefit.
Exercise Modulation
Excessive amounts of activity can also decrease estrogen production; so taking a break from exercise can help raise estrogen levels.
Soy
Some investigations have been carried out, to learn how soy benefits in treating low estrogen symptoms. There is contradictory research on the advantages of soy for rising estrogen levels. However, it was shown that soy isoflavones might decrease menopausal symptoms provoked by diminishing estrogen levels.
Increasing soy in the diet may not be suitable for all women. Before taking more soy or a soy supplement, it is necessary to talk to your doctor.