What is Low Estrogen? (Estrogen Deficiency)
Low estrogen is a normal part of the aging process. However, low levels at a younger age can be associated with atypical sexual development and various health issues.
What Does It Mean to Have Low Estrogen?
Estrogen is a vital hormone that accelerates your sexual development and helps protect your reproductive system. It also plays a significant role in other body systems. Estrogen levels rise and fall throughout your life, usually in sync with other hormones that control important body processes like the menstrual cycle. The constantly changing ups and downs associated with estrogen levels are normal.
Having consistently low estrogen levels, however, is evaluated differently. Accordingly, low estrogen may mean you are going through a natural change like menopause. Sometimes, low estrogen is a sign of a condition that slows down your sexual development and makes it difficult to get pregnant.
What Are the Symptoms of Low Estrogen Levels?
Symptoms associated with low estrogen in your reproductive years overlap with common symptoms associated with menopause and post-menopause. Symptoms may vary depending on what is causing your low estrogen levels.
In general, symptoms of low estrogen include:
Dry skin.
Tenderness in the breasts.
Weak or brittle bones (Osteoporosis).
Difficulty concentrating (Brain Fog).
Moodiness and irritability.
Vaginal dryness or atrophy.
Hot flashes and night sweats.
Irregular menstrual cycle or absence of menstruation (Amenorrhea).
Weight gain, especially in the abdominal area.
Unusual headaches starting before and during the menstrual period.
Decreased sex drive (Libido) and painful sexual intercourse (Dyspareunia).
Feeling tired (Fatigue) and difficulty sleeping (Insomnia).
What Causes Low Estrogen Levels?
The most common cause of low estrogen is age. It is natural for your estrogen levels to drop as you get older. Low levels unrelated to menopause can be a sign of an underlying problem.
Common causes include:
Age: Estrogen levels decrease during menopause. At this point, the primary form of estrogen in your body shifts from Estradiol (produced mainly in your ovaries) to Estrone (produced mainly in body fat).
Eating Disorders: Eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia can deprive your body of the nutrients it needs to keep hormone levels balanced.
Genetic Conditions: Turner syndrome and Fragile X syndrome both cause low estrogen.
Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune diseases that attack your ovaries can prevent enough estrogen from being produced.
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Also known as Premature Menopause, in this condition, the ovaries stop producing eggs before the age of 40. As a result, the body enters early menopause. Menstruation stops completely, and the person’s estrogen level drops.
Treatments Affecting Ovaries: Cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can damage the ovaries. This can prevent the ovaries from secreting normal estrogen levels. Removal of one or both ovaries (Oophorectomy) as part of treatment can also cause low estrogen.
Conditions Affecting the Pituitary Gland: The pituitary gland secretes the hormones necessary for the ovaries to produce estrogen. A decrease in estrogen levels can be seen when the pituitary gland does not secrete these hormones sufficiently.
Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: If sufficient nutrients are not taken when the body is overly stressed (for example, during times of excessive exercise), Hypothalamic Amenorrhea may develop. With this condition, the brain does not release enough of the hormone that activates estrogen production in the ovaries. As a result, the menstrual cycle stops completely.
Which Tests Are Done to Diagnose Low Estrogen?
There are three types of estrogen produced by the body. An Estrogen Blood Test can measure all three: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3). To make this measurement, a simple blood draw is performed by a specialist physician, and the sample is sent to a laboratory for evaluation.
Estrone (E1): It is the primary hormone produced by the body during menopause and post-menopause. This is a weaker form of estrogen than estradiol (E2).
Estradiol (E2): It is the primary hormone produced by the body during reproductive years (the most potent form).
Estriol (E3): It can be described as the primary hormone produced by the body during pregnancy.
Can Estrogen Levels Be Increased with Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes?
Certain changes in daily life certainly affect estrogen levels positively. For this, it is important to pay attention to the points mentioned below.
Aim for a healthy body weight: Being underweight is a risk factor for low hormone levels. You can talk to your doctor about the dietary changes needed to ensure you are getting the right amount of calories every day.
Exercise moderately: Excessive exercise can cause estrogen to drop even further. Instead, a person receiving treatment for low estrogen is recommended to exercise more moderately. Overdoing it can deplete the important resources your body needs to function.
Reduce stress: Too many stress hormones can cause the hormones regulating your reproductive system to become unbalanced. Incorporating stress reduction techniques into your daily routine is good for your overall health and hormones. You can meditate or do yoga, go for nature walks, and take up hobbies that make you feel happier and calmer.
Get enough sleep: Sleep is the most important element that recharges your body so that your hormones can work properly. On average, adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Getting quality sleep during this process will also positively affect your estrogen levels.
How Can I Increase My Estrogen Naturally?
Foods and supplements containing compounds similar to estrogen may help raise your hormone levels. Of course, you should first consult your doctor and act with a plan in line with their recommendation. Generally, in such cases, patients are recommended foods containing Phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens are plant-based estrogens. Some research suggests that eating foods containing phytoestrogens helps with menopause symptoms like hot flashes. In addition, some phytoestrogen foods can help protect heart and bone health and improve skin elasticity.
Foods containing phytoestrogens include:
Legumes: Soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts.
Seeds: Flaxseeds, sunflower seeds.
Red Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries.
Other Fruits: Plums, pears, apples, grapes.