The Major Role of Estrogen in Women’s Health

Estrogen plays an important role in your health, as it is a group of hormones that are found in the sexual and reproductive health and development of women. Women’s ovaries are regulated to make the highest estrogen hormone levels, even though the adrenal glands and the fat cells also make up small amounts of hormones as well.

While the female body regulates the menstrual cycle mainly, estrogen still affects the reproductive tract, the urinary tract, heart as well as the blood vessels, skin, hair, breasts, mucous membranes, pelvic muscles, bones, and even the brain.

While estrogen is a hormone and is present in the female body in small amounts, they still play a much larger role in the entire health. The hormone estrogen, which is commonly associated with the female body is also:

– Responsible for sexual development in females when they reach puberty
– Helps to control the growth of the uterine lining, as well as the menstrual cycle, and finally at the beginning of a pregnancy
– Often causes breast changes in young women like teens and women who are pregnant
– Metabolism is the bone and cholesterol
– Helps to regulate food intake, your body weight, glucose metabolism, and insulin sensitivity

As a female that has not reached puberty yet, or if you are female approaching menopause, you are most likely to experience low estrogen at some point. However, those are not the only two stages that may experience low estrogen, as women of all ages may develop low estrogen levels. A few common symptoms of low estrogen that should be reviewed:

– Painful intercourse due to lack of vaginal lubrication
– Increase in UTI’s, also known as urinary tract infections, due to the thinning of the urethra
– Irregular or even absent periods
– Mood swings
– Hot flashes
– Tender breasts
– Headaches or more pronounced pre-existing migraines
– Depression
– Trouble concentrating
– Fatigue

Some women also notice they find their bones may fracture or break easier; this is mostly due to the decrease in the bone’s density. As estrogen levels work in conjunction with calcium, vitamin D, as well as other minerals which keep bones strong. If your estrogen levels are low, it can cause you to experience a decrease in the bone’s density. If low estrogen levels are not dealt with in a timely manner or at all, it can lead women to deal with infertility.

The causes of low estrogen in women are due to many things which are:

– Excessive exercise
– Eating disorders
– Low-functioning pituitary gland
– Premature ovarian failure
– Turner syndrome
– Chronic kidney disease

Estrogen is a primary producer in the female’s ovaries, so anything that affects the ovaries will start to affect the estrogens production levels.

Another sign that menopause is approaching is low estrogen. Women in their 40’s or older may start to notice these signs or symptoms due to this.

The first thing that needs to be done if you are noticing symptoms of low estrogen is to book an appointment with Dr. Michelle Trandai. Dr. Trandai will assess the symptoms that you may be experiencing and make the appropriate diagnosis if needed. Early diagnosis of low estrogen levels can prevent further complications from occurring. During this appointment, Dr. Trandai may also discuss your family’s health history and assess the symptoms that you are experiencing. She may also perform a physical exam and recommend blood tests be completed to review your hormone levels.

The reason blood tests may be required is in part to the follicle-stimulating hormone, which is tested to determine whether you have low estrogen or not, specifically if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

– Hot flashes
– Night sweats
– Insomnia
– Frequently missed periods

While not always the case, your doctor may order a pituitary hormone exam to check for any medical conditions that can be affecting the endocrine system. If your pituitary hormone exam comes back all clear, further examination may be required with a brain scan.

If you are worried about low estrogen, or if you are noticing signs and symptoms of low estrogen, call Dr. Michelle Trandai’s clinic today to book an appointment. We serve patients from Chicago IL, Evanston IL, Ravenswood IL, Uptown IL, Lake View IL, Lincoln Park IL, Buena Park IL, Bowmanville IL, Boystown IL, and Roscoe Village, IL.