Declining estrogen levels are a normal part of the aging process for women, but there are a few things all women need to know.
Estrogen is an essential hormone for women, and it allows them to enjoy smooth, hairless skin on the face, and it plays an essential role in menstruation and many other functions in the body. During menopause, a woman’s estrogen levels will dramatically decrease and eventually drop off completely, but more and more women are experiencing premenopausal symptoms at a younger age due to low estrogen levels.
At Rejuvime Medical, we offer hormone therapy in Metairie, and our estrogen replacement therapy has helped many women suffering from low or no estrogen. However, before you can find the right treatment option for low or no estrogen, it’s important to know about what estrogen does, what causes estrogen deficiency and the symptoms of estrogen deficiency. That’s why we’ve come up with this guide on low or no estrogen.
What role does estrogen play?
- Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining mental health in women.
- Estrogen helps to regulate digestion, lung function and menstruation.
- Estrogen helps the body to balance fluid and deposit fat.
- Estrogens assists in maintaining healthy bone density, vaginal flora, skin, blood vessels and more.
- Estrogen stimulates uterine and endometrial growth.
- Estrogen helps wounds to heal by promoting the coagulation of blood and synthesizing proteins.
- Estrogen reduces muscle mass and accelerates the metabolism.
- Estrogen is essential for the development of breasts, as well as underarm hair and pubic hair. It also gives women a softer, more feminine shape.
What causes a deficiency in estrogen?
There are a plethora of health concerns and lifestyle choices that can affect your estrogen levels, but here are a few of the most common causes of low estrogen in women.
- Menopause – menopause is a natural part of the aging process, and it causes low levels of estrogen.
- Hysterectomy – A hysterectomy is a surgery involving the removal of the uterus, and sometimes, the ovaries, which can lead to low estrogen.
- Low weight or extreme weight loss – Fat and estrogen are like peanut butter and jelly, but if you don’t have enough fat, it can cause your estrogen levels to take a hit. Women who are either naturally underweight or who perform strenuous workouts often suffer from low estrogen.
Childbirth, breastfeeding, radiation, chemotherapy, premature ovarian failure (POF), anorexia, pituitary gland dysfunction, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), some medications and even some birth control pills are a few examples of the many other things that can cause low estrogen levels in women.
What are the symptoms of estrogen deficiency?
- Stomach issues – Many women experiencing estrogen deficiency will suffer from irritability in the stomach and other stomach issues, like gas, bloating or discomfort.
- Loss of bone density – Low estrogen can result in bone loss, which increases the risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Sexual complications – An estrogen deficiency can cause vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and a decrease in libido.
- Menopause symptoms – Low estrogen, even in pre-menopausal women, can lead to menopause symptoms, such as dry skin, night sweats, hot flashes, bladder infections, vaginal dryness and fatigue.
There are a number of other symptoms that are associated with an estrogen deficiency.
How is estrogen deficiency treated?
While some lifestyle changes can help to curb the symptoms of estrogen deficiency, the most common and effective treatment option for most women is hormone replacement therapy. Here at Rejuvime Medical, we are proud to offer a more natural alternative to synthetic hormone therapy with bioidentical hormones. These hormones are identical on a molecular level to the hormones naturally occurring in your body, and they are often more effective than the hormones synthesized in a lab.
Find out if hormone therapy is the right option for you when you schedule your appointment with Rejuvime Medical in Metairie today!
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