Menopause is the time when symptoms of low estrogen levels usually manifest themselves. Low estrogen levels, however, can be a problem for premenopausal women also and when that is the case, natural estrogen supplementation is often well advised.
Low levels of estrogen, typically experienced at menopause, can cause sagging breasts. Sagging that occurs prior to menopause is not reversible by hormone replacement therapy.
Lethargy and lack of vitality are early signs that your anti-aging hormones (such as estrogen and progesterone) are diminishing.
Lowered estrogen levels can cause all sorts of unusual symptoms. The body's thermostat fluctuates, causing flushing and circulation changes which sometimes result in tingling of the face.
Night sweats or their daytime version, hot flashes, may be the first symptom of low estrogen. In both cases, the profuse sweating follows a brief but intense wave of heat, usually in the face and chest.
A decrease in estrogen results in several vaginal changes. The vaginal lining becomes thinner and more fragile resulting in an increased risk of bacterial infection.
Hormone levels fluctuate at different stages of pregnancy, making it difficult to isolate any underlying imbalances during this time.
In studies of older women, a lower risk of osteoarthritis was found in women who had used oral estrogens for hormone replacement therapy. The researchers suspect that low estrogen levels could increase risk for the disease, but further studies are needed.
The cause of urinary stress incontinence in women is usually pelvic relaxation resulting from childbirth and the aging process. These changes become more pronounced following menopause as estrogen deficiency allows atrophy of the genitourinary tissues.
Pregnenolone is made from cholesterol in the body. A number of hormones, including estrogen, are synthesized from pregnenolone.
High intake of green tea has been associated with higher levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and lowered levels of serum estradiol (estrogen) concentration in women.
Estrogen levels tend to be lower in thin and very thin women.
Low estrogen levels raise LDL-C (bad) cholesterol, while lowering HDL (good) cholesterol, both of which contribute to atherosclerosis. Supplemental estrogen reduces this risk, at least partially by increasing the HDL particle size which confers some protection against heart disease.
Low estrogen levels trigger the brain to release MAO, an enzyme in the brain which breaks down and destroys the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Estrogen increases the destruction of this enzyme. The lower your MAO enzyme levels the better you probably feel, since MAO breakdowns serotonin. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression.
Women must first be exposed to elevated estrogen levels before low estrogen levels will trigger headache activity. Constant low levels of estrogen, as in menopause, are less likely to be associated with increased headache pattern.
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