As women age, one of the most common challenges they face is lower levels of estrogen. The impact of this drop has been the subject of endless research, stories, myths, and misunderstanding. Although a lower level of estrogen is a natural part of a woman’s life, there is still much we don’t know about it, though we have learned a few things.
Causes of Low Estrogen
By far the most common cause of lowered estrogen is aging. With advancing age comes perimenopause, which is when estrogen levels begin to drop. Once the ovaries stop producing estrogen, a woman is in menopause.Other causes of low estrogen levels can include:
- Thyroid disorders
- Premature ovarian failure, which can develop because of exposure to toxins, an autoimmune condition, or genetics
- Being severely underweight/anorexia/eating disorders
- Excessive exercise
- Low functioning pituitary gland
- Chemotherapy
- Family history of hormonal problems
- Turner syndrome and other congenital conditions
- Chronic kidney disease
Symptoms of Low Estrogen
Low levels of estrogen can result in symptoms throughout the body. For example:Weak bones. Declining estrogen can result in bone loss, which also increases the risk of fractures and/or osteoporosis.
Irregular menstrual cycles. Women with low estrogen may experience irregular periods or skip them.
Infertility. Low estrogen can result in a failure to ovulate, which makes it difficult to get pregnant.
Hot flashes. This is probably the most recognized symptom of low estrogen.
Increased risk of urinary tract infections. This symptom is believed to be associated with the thinning of the tissue in the urethra, which is the result of low estrogen.
Mood swings/depression. The mood hormone, serotonin, depends on estrogen, therefore low estrogen can result in a drop in serotonin levels and contribute to depression and mood swings.
Low Estrogen and Skin
Estrogen plays an important role in supporting skin health. For example, the hormone stimulates the production of collagen and oils for the skin, promotes wound healing, and provides some protection against radiation from the sun.Therefore, when estrogen levels decline, you may experience skin issues as you become more sensitive to changes in temperature, fabrics, beauty products, and other things that may touch your skin. Such sensitivity can result in rash, itchy or irritated skin, dryness and flaking, hives, or flushing. Because the skin becomes thinner as estrogen levels fall, you may notice that you bruise more easily than you did in the past.
Low Estrogen and Weight
Declining estrogen has been associated with weight gain and how much fat the body stores. Generally, women store fat in their hips and thighs. However, once estrogen levels begin to drop, the storage area often shifts to the abdomen.Just because you have low levels of estrogen doesn’t mean you will automatically gain weight, however. You can reduce your risk of weight gain by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and getting adequate sleep.
Natural Remedies
If you want to boost your estrogen levels naturally, nature has a few suggestions. Discuss the best dosage for your needs with a knowledgeable healthcare provider.Black cohosh. You may know this herb for its ability to help with menopausal symptoms. Research also suggests this herb contains compounds that stimulate estrogen receptors. More research is needed to verify this finding.
Chasteberry. This traditional herbal remedy is frequently used for premenstrual symptoms. Experts have found that chasteberry has estrogenic effects when taken at 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg of body weight. A phytoestrogen called apigenin in chasteberry is believed to be responsible for this effect.
Estrogen-rich foods. Be sure to include flaxseeds in your diet—they are one of the richest sources of phytoestrogen. Other candidates include soy, pistachios, walnuts, strawberries, and dried fruit.
Evening primrose oil. The omega-6 fatty acids in this herbal remedy make it popular for symptoms associated with menopause. In one study, about 40 percent of women who used evening primrose oil experienced relief of symptoms associated with low estrogen.
Red clover. The isoflavones (i.e., biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein) in red clover (Trifolium pratense) may act like estrogen in the body. Some research has shown that taking red clover supplements can significantly increase estrogen levels in menopausal women.
Vitamin D. This vitamin plays an important role in estrogen production, so you need to be sure to get enough of it. Since vitamin D deficiency is very common, you may want to get a blood test to determine your levels before you take a vitamin D supplement so you know the optimal dose for you.
Bottom Line
The presence of low estrogen is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle. Rather than fear it, this life phase can be understood, embraced, and managed.Deborah Mitchell is a freelance health writer who is passionate about animals and the environment. She has authored, co-authored, and written more than 50 books and thousands of articles on a wide range of topics. This article was originally published on NaturallySavvy.com
