Estrogens

The Menopause-Estrogen Connection
When a female’s estrogen hormone levels are too low, it can cause a chain reaction that causes problems with other hormone levels. Progesterone imbalances can be a root cause. In fact, women who are experiencing perimenopause symptoms are often feeling the effects of low progesterone rather than low estrogen. Since estrogen and progesterone balance each other out, when either is too low or too high it can cause uncomfortable symptoms.

 

At the root of menopause is falling estrogen levels, which is typically not a straight decline but often bouncing around erratically. You might call it an estrogen roller coaster, and it leads to stereotypical symptoms, like hot flashes. As menopause progresses, the estrogen levels continue to decline. When this happens, women experience additional symptoms, such as memory, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep problems.

Although bone mass naturally diminishes as we age, estrogen keeps the healthy bone on the bone. When estrogen levels begin to decline, so does the maintenance of bone tissue, which can lead to osteoporosis. Other symptoms include skin changes, such as collagen reduction. Lower collagen can cause dry and wrinkled skin.

On the intimacy side, the symptoms of low estrogen include a lower sex drive and vaginal walls that thin and dry out, making intercourse painful. At the same time, women with low estrogens may have a more difficult time reaching orgasm and the orgasms may be less intense.

What is Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance, a term coined by Dr. John Lee, might be better known as  “progesterone deficient.”  If a woman’s body does not have enough progesterone, the body acts as if it has too much estrogen. If a woman is being treated for menopause with estrogen without progesterone, or she is being given too much estrogen, the body also acts as if it has too much estrogen. Symptoms can include irregular periods, allergies, breast soreness, anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, and headaches.

There are several other possible causes of estrogen dominance, including diet and lifestyle. Xenoestrogens, man-made pollutants that have estrogen-like actions, are found in some foods that can lead to estrogen hormone imbalances. High stress lifestyles could also be to blame. What’s more, stress causes the production of a hormone known as cortisol, which reduces progesterone levels.

Balancing Estrogen Hormones

Hello, sex drive... Bye bye, memory loss and mood swings! The good news is bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy can help women balance estrogen hormone levels and relieve these symptoms of menopause and aging. Chicago's Ageology physicians begin by exploring diet and lifestyle issues that may be contributing to estrogen imbalances. But we also assess saliva, urine, and blood work to determine, when necessary, how to best optimize hormone levels. When your estrogen and progesterone are balanced--and when you lead a healthy lifestyle--you can feel young again.

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