Low estrogen symptoms
All of the symptoms listed below have two things in common: they’re all signs of a hormonal imbalance, and they’re all quite common in perimenopause and, later, menopause. Symptoms of a client’s entry into this stage of life include:
- Painful sex due to a lack of vaginal lubrication (i.e. Vaginal dryness)
- Increase in likelihood of urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Irregular or absent periods
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes, night sweats
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches or accentuation of existing migraines
- Depression
- Trouble concentrating and
- Fatigue
People with low estrogen levels may also find that their bones are more vulnerable to fracturing or breaking, because of a decrease in bone density. Estrogen works with calcium, vitamin D, and other minerals to keep bones strong, so a decrease in estrogen could quite possibly lead to decreased bone density (i.e. Osteopenia or osteoporosis).
A prompt diagnosis of low estrogen followed by treatment of the condition can prevent health issues, so if you’ve experienced any of the above-mentioned symptoms lately, you should schedule an appointment at our clinic and get yourself checked out as soon as possible. Dr. Victor Shabanah will assess your symptoms, ask you about your family health history, and make a formal diagnosis, if necessary. In addition, he’ll perform a physical exam and, probably, take blood samples to test your hormone levels. If you’re experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, or frequently missed periods – otherwise known as amenorrhea – Dr. Shabanah may decide to check your body’s levels of the hormone estradiol. There’s also the possibility that he’ll have a brain scan performed on you, or get your DNA tested, to check for any abnormalities affecting your endocrine system.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the various therapies used to treat low estrogen levels. It’s used to enhance the natural levels of all the body’s hormones. If you’re approaching menopause, it’s quite possible Dr. Shabanah will recommend HRT because once you reach this milestone your estrogen and progesterone levels will significantly decrease.
Using the bio-identical HRT employed at the Health and Wellness Clinic, U.S.A., hormones can be administered topically, orally, vaginally, or via injection. The beauty of hormone replacement therapy is that the treatments can be adjusted in dosage, length of time, and combination (of hormones) administered.
Like most medical treatments, hormone replacement therapy increases certain risks for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, blood clotting, stroke, and cancer.
Low estrogen levels and weight gain
It’s a scientific fact that sex hormones such as estrogen influence how much fat you have in your body. Estrogen is involved in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. If your estrogen levels are low you could experience weight gain. Research suggests that this could be why women who are approaching menopause are likely to become overweight. It should come as a shock to no one that being overweight is essentially an introduction to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. If you recognize that your estrogen levels are low and observe that it’s affecting your weight, talk to Dr. Shabanah. He can assess your symptoms and advise you on the next steps you should take. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are always beneficial ideas. When you and Dr. Shabanah discuss them in the context of your decreased estrogen levels, he can help you come up with a tailor-made plan to ensure that you’ll soon be back at an optimal level in a natural, healthy way.
