Low Estrogen Symptoms & Remedies

  Reviewed
 by Dr. Steve Hruby, D.C.
Reviewed by Dr. Steve Hruby, D.C.

SuperHumans are the toughest, fittest, healthiest and happiest human beings on this planet. My mission is to help you realize your superhuman potential and learn how to live a long, happy and healthy life.

  Fact Checked
 by Rhealyn Tropia, RMT
Reviewed by Rhealyn Tropia, RMT

I’m a content organizer, fact-checker and super mom who ensures content is medically-reviewed, highly accurate, and engaging. My passion is organizing information and ensuring the facts are presented in a manner that is interesting and easy to understand.

low estrogen symptoms

Women have complex bodies that go through different complicated life stages like menstruation, childbirth, menopause, etc. With so many complex processes come complications that, sooner or later, are faced by the majority. One such issue includes fluctuation in the hormonal levels, most commonly estrogen.

It’s common to experience low estrogen symptoms with aging, but other reasons can also contribute to this imbalance. Starting in the late 30s, changes in the hair, an irregular menstrual cycle, or hot flashes become common. You might wonder if low estrogen is to blame.

Low estrogen levels can have a significant impact on a variety of bodily processes. Doctors often underline the need for consultation to understand and identify any health issues that might result from hormonal imbalances.

Let’s look at estrogen in detail and understand what can you do if you encounter these issues.

Why Is Your Estrogen Level Important?

Hormones play a significant role in our bodies by regulating and controlling almost every function. Estrogen is one such hormone that is frequently linked to a feminine physique. It’s also produced by men, although women generate more of it overall.

The estrogen hormone majorly controls all of the below-mentioned bodily functions:

  • It’s a factor in the metabolism of cholesterol.
  • Causes breast changes in pregnant women and teens.
  • It’s in charge of a girl’s sexual development when she reaches puberty.
  • Controls the body’s weight, insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and food intake.
  • Regulates the development of the uterine lining both at the start of a pregnancy and during the menstrual cycle.

What Signs or Symptoms Indicate Low Estrogen?

Symptoms of low estrogen levels in the female body are as follows:

Period Irregularities

One of the primary hormones influencing the menstrual cycle is estrogen. Missed or irregular periods might result from low estrogen levels. At worst, low estrogen levels can inhibit ovulation and make pregnancy challenging, which might also result in infertility.

Weak Bones

Estrogen helps maintain healthy, strong bones. A bone loss might occur when estrogen levels fall. For instance, post-menopausal women are more likely to have osteoporosis and suffer from bone fractures.

Painful Sex

Estrogen may have an impact on vaginal lubrication. Low levels can cause vaginal dryness, which frequently results in uncomfortable intercourse.

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes can frequently occur because of the reduced estrogen levels during menopause. It’s a sudden feeling of being uncomfortably hot that isn’t due to any external source.

Depression

Serotonin, a brain chemical that improves mood, is considered to be increased by estrogen. Serotonin levels may drop as a result of estrogen insufficiency, which can lead to mood swings or sadness.

person crying beside her bed

Urinary Tract Issues

The ovaries produce less progesterone and estrogen during perimenopause. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) become more common as a result of the weakening of the tissue in the urethra, which can happen with less estrogen.

What Contributes to Low Estrogen?

Age

Age is the primary factor in reduced estrogen levels. At one age, it’s normal for estrogen levels to decrease. During menopause, estrogen levels fall. At this stage, estrone replaces estradiol as the predominant type of estrogen in the body. Estradiol is largely generated by the ovaries (produced primarily in body fat).

Eating Problems

Eating habits can directly affect your hormones. Unhealthy eating styles can impact the level of hormones, resulting in psychological and physical issues. Anorexia and bulimia, two eating disorders, can deprive your body of the nutrients necessary to maintain healthy hormone levels.

Genetic Disorders

Low estrogen in women can be a symptom of Turner syndrome or fragile X syndrome, both of which relate to your genetics.

Turner syndrome, a genetic disorder, affects only females, in which a female is missing an X chromosome partially or completely.

Fragile X syndrome is also a genetic disorder in which a person experiences intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmune diseases are where your immune system mistakenly attacks your body’s healthy cells. The ovaries’ ability to produce adequate estrogen might be hindered by autoimmune disorders.

Premature Menopause

This is also known as primary ovarian insufficiency. If someone has this illness, the ovaries cease generating eggs before the age of 40. The body experiences early menopause as a result. The estrogen levels drop and the periods stop.

Ovaries-related Treatments

Your ovaries may be harmed by cancer therapies like chemotherapy and radiation. Due to these, the ovaries can come to a position where they’re unable to secrete regular amounts of estrogen. Low estrogen can also result from removing one or both ovaries (oophorectomy) as part of therapy.

graphic of female reproductive system

Ailments in the Pituitary Gland

The chemicals released by your pituitary gland instruct your ovaries to begin producing estrogen. If your pituitary gland isn’t releasing enough of these hormones, your body may not create enough estrogen.

Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

One can acquire hypothalamic amenorrhea if their body is under stress (for example, from extreme activity) and isn’t receiving adequate nutrition. The brain doesn’t produce enough of the hormone necessary to turn on the creation of estrogen in the ovaries when one suffers from hypothalamic amenorrhea. Periods completely stop as a result.

Factors That Increase the Risk of Low Estrogen

The following are the most typical risk factors for low estrogen levels:

  • Aging
  • Eating disorders
  • Excessive dieting
  • Drug usage disorders
  • Overly active exercise
  • Pituitary gland problems
  • Radiation treatment and chemotherapy
  • Hormonal disorders in the family, including ovarian cysts

How Is a Low Estrogen Level Determined?

To discuss what’s going on, you should speak with your doctor if you notice any low estrogen symptoms or indicators. Ask them about what causes low estrogen and what happens when estrogen levels are low.

If your doctor recommends blood tests to evaluate your general health, make sure your Pap smear test, which detects cervical cancer, is up to date.

You should immediately call your physician if:

You’ve Missed One or More Periods

Low estrogen levels can result in irregular or missed periods. But, this could also be an indication of pregnancy, the side effect of some drugs, the consequence of an underlying disease, or the outcome of perimenopause.

You Start Bleeding or Spotting After a Year Without a Period

After menopause, low estrogen levels can cause spotting or bleeding. Spotting or mild bleeding in postmenopausal women may signal endometrial cancer or other significant medical conditions.

You’re at Least 16 Years Old but Haven’t Yet Begun Your Period

At a younger age, low estrogen can stop or slow sexual development. This can be a symptom of hormonal imbalance-related delayed puberty.

woman in the bathroom holding sanitary pad

You Believe You May Suffer From an Eating Disorder

Your physical and emotional health may suffer as a result of eating disorders. They may result in inadequacies that interfere with the generation of estrogen.

You’re Experiencing Severe Depression or Having Suicidal Thoughts

During menopause, most women go through mood swings. Low estrogen levels can cause depression and anxiety. Speak with a mental health expert about potential treatment choices to obtain the assistance and support you need.

How to Treat Hormonal Imbalances

Replacement Treatments

Hormone replacement therapy is a common component of treatment for low levels of estrogen. The objective is to restore lost estrogen. Your doctor will assist you in deciding which sort of treatment is best. Treatment options for vaginal atrophy and low estrogen levels include estrogen lotions, vaginal rings, vaginal estrogen tablets, pills and patches.

The conditions when you shouldn’t use estrogen treatment include:

  • Liver illness
  • Mammary cancer
  • Cancer of the uterus
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Blood clots or previous blood clot events

There are several natural remedies, like using a water-soluble lubricant to moisturize the vagina and ease the pain if you aren’t a candidate for estrogen therapy.

MonaLisa Touch

Vaginal atrophy can occasionally be treated with the slightly invasive laser surgery known as MonaLisa Touch. The reason why this gentle laser therapy is effective is that it stimulates collagen synthesis within the vaginal walls.

Additionally, laser therapy boosts blood flow and improves lubrication. The vagina starts to work better as a result. Anesthesia isn’t required. Positive outcomes can sometimes be seen after just a single MonaLisa Touch treatment.

Eating Healthy

Regardless of your condition, a nutritious diet can hasten your recovery. You can boost hormonal health by consuming specific foods. Always strive to consume a lot of whole foods, and stay away from sugary and processed foods.

Your body will benefit from eating fibrous foods like apples, berries, pears, beans, avocados, legumes, seeds, and nuts. Organic vegetables and fruits, as well as plenty of water and herbal teas, would also provide significant help.

Exercise

Numerous studies show that exercise has a favorable impact on estrogen metabolism. To keep the hormones balanced, we should all continue our regular workout schedules. This is one of the best answers to the question of how to increase estrogen naturally.

Keep in mind that everyone’s body and bodily requirements are unique. What, therefore, works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Give yourself a lot of love and attention, and be mindful of your emotions. When you’re coping with hormone imbalances, self-compassion is quite helpful. As you seek medical care, be honest with your physician about how you’re feeling.

FAQs about Low Estrogen Levels

What Happens When Your Estrogen Is Too Low?

Depending on where you’re in your sexual development, low estrogen can have a variety of effects on your body. During adolescence, it can inhibit or halt sexual development or postpone puberty.

woman on her desk holding the side of her head

During the phases of perimenopause and menopause, it can frequently result in uncomfortable intercourse, diminished libido, and hot flashes.

How Can I Increase My Estrogen Level?

Aim for healthy body weight: Low hormone levels are more likely to occur when you’re underweight. To make sure you’re receiving the proper number of calories each day, discuss any dietary adjustments with your healthcare physician.

Activity in moderation: Excessive exercise might result in low estrogen. Moderate exercise is healthy. Overdoing it might exhaust vital resources that your body requires to operate.

Reduce stress: Excessive levels of stress hormones might lead to an imbalance in the hormones that control your reproductive system. Including stress-reduction practices in your daily routine is beneficial for both your hormones and general well-being.

Sleep enough: Get enough sleep to refresh your body and enable your hormones to work correctly. Adults often require seven to nine hours of sleep every night.

Does Low Estrogen Cause Weight Gain?

Hormonal and menopausal weight gain is a truth. The quantity of body fat is readily influenced by sex hormones like estrogen. Estrogen controls the metabolism of lipids and glucose. Having low estrogen levels might result in weight gain during menopause.

According to research, this may be why women who are close to menopause are more prone to gaining weight. Your chances of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease can all rise if you’re overweight.

Consult your doctor if your low estrogen levels are influencing your weight. They will evaluate your symptoms and provide you with advice on what to do next.

Always strive to eat a balanced diet and work out as frequently as you can. Discuss with your doctor about creating a diet and fitness plan that’s appropriate for you.

Conclusion

Hormones, such as estrogen, play an important role in your health. Low estrogen levels can impact your whole body and well-being. This imbalance may be normal during puberty and perimenopause, but it can also be brought on by certain drugs or medical disorders.

If you experience low estrogen symptoms, consult your physician to rule out any serious conditions, and follow a good diet and exercise regularly. There are many treatments available that can be effective for your condition.

You can try our product NAD Longevity formula to help you with healthy aging.

Here, you can also check ways how to flush out excess estrogen.

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