Do You Suffer Symptoms Of Low Estrogen?
November 19th, 2011
Can low estrogen cause symptoms body wide?
Estrogen has broad impact in the body. It nourishes organ systems as widespread as the cardiovascular system, nervous system, skeletal system, urogenital system, and even the integument or skin.Estrogen is responsible for the health and maintenance of the skeleton, brain, heart and blood vessels, breasts, vagina, urethra and bladder, gums and teeth, skin and much more.
When estrogen levels start to wane, any and all of these body areas are impacted. It may not be obvious to you, therefore that you are experiencing low estrogen symptoms.
Falling estrogen levels commence during perimenopause.
Estrogen and progesterone levels go up and down in a smooth, rhythmic pattern as part of our monthly reproductive cycle. Hormone secretions from the brain and pituitary gland modulate the ovaries. The regulated pattern of hormone release by the ovaries begins to shift as we enter perimenopause. Secretion of hormones is inconsistent and irregular. Precipitous falls in estrogen during perimenopause are what drive low estrogen symptoms.
What are rhe symptoms of low estrogen?
- Changes in your menstrual periods Changes in your menstrual cycle are the most common sign of dropping estrogen. About 90% of women experience changes in their monthly cycle for an average of 4-8 years before menopause.
Disruption of the usual timing of one’s periods is the most commonly reported complaint. You may miss periods. The number of days between menstrual periods can increase or decrease. A change in the amount of bleeding each month can occur. It can be heavier or lighter. You may experience light bleeding between your menstrual periods. With erratic estrogen levels, premenstrual symptoms can worsen.
- Hot flashes and night sweats start while you are still cycling. The next most common symptom of falling estrogen levels is hot flashes and night sweats. Hot flashes are experienced by 80-85% of American women in perimenopause. For most women, hot flashes occur for just three to five years. They commonly begin a few years before menopause. In more severe cases, hot flashes have been reported to continue for 10-20 years, through menopause and into the post menopause period.
Hot flash frequency and severity varies. They may occur less than once daily and be a minor nuisance. Hot flashes can be so severe as to be disabling.
- Trouble sleeping. Hot flashes is likely the primary cause of perimenopause related insomnia. Night time hot flashes can wake you up, disrupting sleep. When they are severe you may wake drenched in sweat and feeling chilled. One can lose lots of sleep, night after night because of frequent hot flashes at night.
The brain reacts to dropping estrogen levels. It reacts by initiating a stress reaction in the adrenal glands and stimulating the release of norepinephrine. The result is a body wide stress response. Common insomnia is a result of high levels of stress hormones.
- Poor memory and attention, fatigue and irritability. Insomnia and a higher level of stress hormones in the body lead to low energy and chronic tiredness. Stress, fatigue and insomnia deplete one’s stamina, resulting in poor concentration and irrritability. Not being able to remember things is common. It is believed that neurotransmitters in the brain are impacted by low estrogen levels and that this is responsible for the memory difficulties.
- Issues with bladder control, genitals and sex. One of the functions of estrogen is the maintenance of the health of the bladder, vagina and urinary tract. Specifically, it nourishes the mucous membranes that line both the urinary tract and the vaginal area. When the trophic or nourishing effect of estrogen is lost as levels fall, these membranes start to thin and dry out.
Estrogen also contributes to the strength of the muscles in the genital area. Bladder control depends on the strength of the sphincter muscle. When weakened one can lose some bladder control. As a consequence one can experience involuntary urine loss. Urinary urgency and needing to urinate often are also common complaints.
Another complaint of menopause is vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can make sexual activity uncomfortable. null This can be followed by lack of interest in sex. Estrogen maintains the sensitivity of the nerves to the genitals. When estrogen levels decrease this can lessen the ability to become sexually aroused.
A common occurence in perimenopause is an increase in the frequency of bladder infections. This is because of thinning of the mucous membranes that serve as a barrier to infection in the bladder and vagina. The mucus secretions in the vagina are acidic in order to inhibit microbial growth. With vaginal dryness, this protection is lost. Vaginal itching is another symptom that is associated with vaginal dryness.
Estrogens in plants can be used to replenish dropping estrogen levels.
Foods high in estrogen can help to supplant the estrogens that are lost during perimenopause. Hot flashes and night sweats are a good illustration of this. In the United States around 80-85% of American women have hot flashes. In Japan however, no more than 30% of women do. The reason is the Japanese diet which is high in foods containing estrogen.
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