Characteristics of Estrogen Hormones Too Low in Women

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You certainly have heard or read about the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that is important for women. This hormone is more common in women than men. However, what happens if a woman lacks estrogen? What are the signs, and how do you overcome them?

The importance of the hormone estrogen for the female body

The hormone estrogen is closely related to women. Actually the male body also produces estrogen, it's just that the estrogen produced by the female body is more than that of men.

In addition, even though estrogen levels circulating in the blood are small, these hormones play an important role in maintaining your body's health. The functions of estrogen include:

  • Sexual development in young women reaches puberty
  • Regulates the thickening of the uterine wall during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy
  • Encourage breast growth in adolescents and pregnant women.
  • Regulates bone metabolism and cholesterol.
  • Regulates food intake, body weight, glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in the body.

What are the signs and symptoms if a woman has low estrogen?

Girls who have not reached puberty and women who are approaching menopause usually have low estrogen. However, still, women from various age groups can experience this condition. Some symptoms of low estrogen levels in women are:

  • Pain during sex due to reduced vaginal lubrication
  • The increased risk of urinary tract infections due to thinning of the urethral wall
  • Irregular menstruation or even menstruation
  • Extreme mood swings
  • The breasts are painful
  • Hot flashes
  • Frequent headaches or increased migraine frequency / intensity that is often experienced
  • Depression
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fatigue
  • Bones that are more fragile so they break easily

If left without treatment, low estrogen levels can cause fertility problems.

What causes low estrogen levels?

Estrogen is produced in the ovary. Therefore, all medical conditions that affect the ovary can threaten estrogen production. Young women can experience low estrogen levels due to:

  • Excessive exercise
  • Anorexia
  • Low function of the pituitary gland
  • Ovarian organ failure, can be caused by genetic defects, toxins, or autoimmune conditions
  • Turner Syndrome
  • Chronic kidney failure

In women over the age of 40, low estrogen levels can be a sign that you are approaching menopause. This transition period is called perimenopause. During this time, the ovary will still produce estrogen, but in small amounts until it finally stops altogether. When your ovary has completely stopped producing estrogen, that's when you say menopause.

Risk factors that cause low estrogen levels

The most common risk factors that cause low estrogen levels include:

  • Age
  • History of hormonal problems in the family (example: ovarian cysts)
  • Diet abnormalities (example: anorexia)
  • Extreme diet
  • Excessive exercise
  • Disorders of the pituitary gland

How do I know if I have low estrogen levels?

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent many health problems caused by low estrogen levels. If you experience symptoms as described above, you should immediately consult a doctor. Your doctor will usually ask for your health history and family history. After a physical examination, the doctor will usually ask you to have blood checked to measure estrogen levels in the body.

In some cases, doctors can suggest brain imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs to find out if there are abnormalities in the brain that affect your hormone production.

How do doctors deal with low estrogen conditions?

High doses of artificial estrogen are usually given to women aged 25-50 who have low estrogen levels. This drug can help reduce the risk of fractures, cardiovascular disease, and other hormonal imbalances. Estrogen can be given by taking medication, through the vagina, or by injection.

Long-term estrogen therapy is usually recommended for women who are approaching menopause or in women who undergo surgical removal of the uterus. Apart from these cases, estrogen therapy is usually only given for one to two years. This is because estrogen therapy can increase the risk of cancer.

Important points to remember

Estrogen is a hormone that is important for health, especially for women. Genetic abnormalities, a history of hormonal problems in the family, and certain diseases can cause estrogen levels to be low. This low estrogen level can interfere with your sexual development and sexual function. In addition, this condition can also increase the risk of obesity, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

However, the rapid development of treatment has made this condition easy to handle. With the right diagnosis and treatment, the low estrogen hormone can easily be overcome.

Characteristics of Estrogen Hormones Too Low in Women
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