Low levels of the female hormone estrogen: symptoms of deficiency

Symptoms of a lack of the female hormone estrogen bring great discomfort to a woman’s life. The human body produces a large number of hormones that are responsible for performing various functions.

Men and women have hormones that make both sexes different in appearance, that is, they acquire secondary sexual characteristics. In women, estrogen is responsible for this.

What is estrogen?

Estrogen is produced in the female body. Its production begins with the girl’s puberty and continues for about thirty years from that moment. Over time, the process of estrogen production slows down.

If a woman's estrogen level is normal, then outwardly she will look feminine and harmonious, symptoms of deficiency will not appear. The female hormone estrogen is responsible for beautiful skin, a proportionate figure and moderate fat accumulation.

The female hormone estrogen is produced in the ovaries. The formation of the hormone occurs from two components: androstenedione and testosterone. The formation process occurs with the participation of the aromatose enzyme.

In order for the hormonal system to work without failures, a woman needs to eat right.

Those girls who adhere to a diet containing little cholesterol or refuse it altogether risk their health. Since the formation of precursors (androgens) of the female hormone estrogen requires a certain amount of cholesterol.

Functions of female hormones estrogen

Under the influence of estrogen occurs:

• formation of the uterus with appendages;
• development of mammary glands;
• formation of pigmentation of the nipples and genitals;
• acquisition of secondary sexual characteristics;
• bone tissue growth;
• regulation of the menstrual cycle;
• preventing blood clots;
• blood clotting control;
• protection of blood vessels from atherosclerosis;
• responsible for the function of childbirth;
• fluid retention in the kidneys.

A lack of the female hormone estrogen during menopause leads to problems with blood vessels, joints and heat exchange, causing negative symptoms.

Causes of estrogen deficiency

Among a number of reasons for the deficiency of the female hormone estrogen, the main one can be identified - These are disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries.

In addition to problems with the appendages, there are other factors that affect low levels of the hormone estrogen:

• rapid weight loss;
• excessive alcohol consumption;
• smoking;
• addiction;
• disruption of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for hormonal levels;
• heredity;
• the presence of tumors,
• long-term use of certain medications;
• dysfunction of the thyroid gland.

If a woman constantly goes on diets, does not eat enough, and at the same time sharply loses weight, then the risk of failure in the formation of the female hormone estrogen increases, and symptoms of its deficiency are provoked.

Which are associated with the pituitary gland, causing hormonal disorders. There are diseases of the pituitary gland such as: congenital pituitary dwarfism, Simmonds disease, Sheehan syndrome and Babinski-Froelich disease. All of these diseases affect the functioning of the hormonal system and the synthesis of female hormones estrogen, causing deficiency symptoms.

Causes associated with hereditary hypoestrogenism can be transmitted at the genetic level through the female line. To find out the reasons for the low level of the female hormone estrogen, the doctor will definitely ask the patient whether her mother or grandmother had symptoms of deficiency.

Some types of tumors, including malignant ones, can exhibit hormonal activity in the human body, thereby disturbing the balance of hormones.

If a woman has had to take medications for a long time, especially antidepressants, then estrogen deficiency may develop as side effects.

The thyroid gland plays an important role in maintaining normal levels of the female hormone estrogen and the formation of deficiency symptoms. With the development of hypothyroidism (lack of thyroid-stimulating hormone) , happens failure in the production of estradiol , which ensures the formation of the female hormone estrogen.

Estrogen deficiency can be caused by age-related changes in the female body. Hypoestrogenism that occurs after 45 years of age , is a herald of the approach of menopause. If the hormone level is reduced earlier than this period, then you should look for the reason why the deficiency symptom occurred.

Symptoms of deficiency

Among the main most noticeable symptoms of a lack of the female hormone estrogen are:

1. Deterioration of skin condition. The appearance of symptoms of dryness, the formation of wrinkles. The skin becomes thin and inelastic.
2. Large formation of papillomas over a short period of time.
3. Prostration.
4. Mood swings.
5. Dysregulation of heat exchange.
6. Heart problems.
7. Absent-mindedness, loss of concentration.
8. Memory impairment.
9. Bones become brittle.

Such symptoms of estrogen deficiency are often observed during menopause. If a decrease in the level of female hormone occurs at a young age, then the signs of deficiency will be the following:

• a teenage girl will experience delayed puberty and a late manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics;
• a young girl may have very hairy skin, similar to a man's;
• late onset of menstruation and development of infertility.

Symptoms of a lack of the female hormone estrogen in a girl after puberty are as follows:

• the menstrual cycle is disrupted;
• the condition of the skin, hair, and nails worsens;
• stretch marks appear on the skin;
• loss of breast firmness;
• insufficiency of vaginal secretion;
• problems with appendages;
• bladder problems, frequent cystitis;
• loss of the ability to conceive a child on your own.

If the above symptoms of deficiency occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.

It is important to know that in addition to various disorders, insufficient production of the female hormone estrogen increases the risk of diabetes, heart attack, cataracts, uterine prolapse, etc.

After forty years, with a lack of the female hormone estrogen, weight may increase significantly. Similar symptoms are observed for problems with the thyroid gland. To accurately determine the causes of violations, it will be necessary undergo a full thyroid examination and take a TSH test.

Lack of estrogen during pregnancy

In order for pregnancy to proceed well, the production of estrogen in the female body increases. The female hormone is involved in the full development of the fetus and the preparation of the reproductive system for childbirth.

If there is a lack of estrogen during pregnancy, the following symptoms are possible:

• The functions of the placenta deteriorate, and there is a risk of abruption;
• risk of miscarriage;
• disturbances in the functioning of the fetal heart;
• underdevelopment of the child’s nervous system;
• the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome increases;
• tendency to uterine bleeding.

If the female hormone estrogen becomes insufficient in the last trimester of pregnancy, then there is a tendency to carry the pregnancy to term and loss of the ability to give birth independently due to weak labor.

Diagnostics

It should be remembered that similar symptoms may occur in women with other diseases. How do you understand that problems are caused by a lack of estrogen?

Methods for diagnosing the female hormone estrogen:

• blood analysis;
• Analysis of urine;
• study of a hormone that acts as a follicle stimulator.

Each age of a woman has its own estrogen level. It is also considered normal that during menopause the level of the female hormone decreases.

How to take a hormone test correctly:

1. The analysis is taken on the third or fifth day of menstruation, a repeat study is carried out no earlier than the twentieth day of the cycle.
2. Remove heavy loads a few days before tests.
3. Avoid foods high in fat.
4. Don't smoke for several days.
5. Do not drink alcohol before the test.
6. The test is taken on an empty stomach early in the morning.

To quickly replenish the required amount of estrogen, a woman is prescribed drug therapy, which consists of taking artificial hormones.

Modern medicine offers pills that can very quickly cope with the problem of estrogen deficiency. But such therapy has its advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of taking synthetic hormones for symptoms of hormone deficiency:

• menopause is easier to bear;
• aging slows down;
• prevent the development of depression;
• prevent the appearance of many diseases: arthritis, osteoporosis, brittle bones, heart problems (heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis);
• ensure normal functioning of the endocrine glands;
• helps improve memory, increases attentiveness, increases reaction speed;
• stimulate collagen production;
• maintain normal blood pressure.

Hormone replacement therapy can cause a number of disorders that are associated with the gastrointestinal tract and circulatory system, namely:

• frequent occurrence of nausea and vomiting;
• liver intoxication;
• development of thromboembolism;
• risk of developing breast cancer.

A doctor should prescribe hormonal medications for symptoms of hormone deficiency only after checking the necessary tests. Taking pills on your own can lead to irreversible consequences.

Drugs that relieve symptoms of a lack of the female hormone estrogen include:

Premarin

Proginova

Hemafemin

Estradiol

Presomen

Chlorotrianisene

Natural Sources of Estrogen

If a woman wants to increase her estrogen levels without taking hormonal medications, this can be done with the help of certain foods.

It should be noted that phytoestrogens have the same effect as synthetic hormones, but the treatment period will be longer and there will be fewer side effects.

Products to relieve symptoms of estrogen deficiency

In first place in terms of phytoestrogen content are flaxseed and flaxseed oil.

This product is rich in beneficial properties:

• source of fatty acids Omega-3 And Omega-6;
• source of phytoestrogen;
• improves digestion;
• increases immunity;
• strengthens hair and nails;
• prevention of heart disease and breast cancer;
• normalizes liver function and much more.

For symptoms of estrogen deficiency, flaxseed oil should be consumed on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before meals.

You can use the oil as a salad dressing. But it is important to know that you cannot cook food on it. When heated, flaxseed oil becomes carcinogenic. When choosing linseed oil, you need to pay attention to the container (usually a dark plastic bottle) , date of manufacture and spin method (cold) . You can buy flaxseed oil at a pharmacy or grocery store.

Other sources of phytoestrogens for relieving symptoms of hormone deficiency are legumes: chickpeas, beans, green peas, soybeans, lentils and bran.

Some studies have shown that women who regularly drink organic coffee have higher estrogen levels than those who do not drink this drink.

In addition to food, a high content of plant hormones is found in some herbs. Herbalists recommend teas made from sage, linden leaves, chamomile flowers, and licorice root for symptoms of estrogen deficiency.

Conclusion

Do not forget that it is better not to self-medicate the symptoms of estrogen deficiency. It is better to use traditional medicine methods to increase estrogen levels after prior consultation with a doctor.