Low Estrogen Symptoms

Estrogen, in common parlance, is defined as the main female steroid sex hormone that is secreted by the ovary, and is responsible for typical female sexual characteristics. Estrogen is present in both the human sexes, however, in a large quantity in women. The development of secondary sexual characteristics in women such as breasts, a widened pelvis and increased amounts of body fat in the buttocks, thighs and hip region involves the working of estrogen. The fact that women have less facial hair, and smoother skin than men, is due to their estrogen characteristics. Drop or a reduction in estrogen level may invite a wide array of hormonal conditions, apart from a number of symptoms. The below description is an overview on the various low estrogen symptoms, which some women may experience in their lifetime.

Symptoms of Low Estrogen

Symptoms of low estrogen vary and due to this, women may not be able to realize that they are suffering from the condition. Symptoms which are commonly observed in women undergoing their menopausal days may include:

• Fatigue
• Hot flashes
• Cold chills
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Bone loss
• Apathy and malaise (physical discomfort)
• Tearfulness
• Sleep disturbances
• Heart palpitations
• Joint pain
• Headaches
• Depression
• Dry eyes and dry skin
• Back pain
• Brain fog
• Water gain
• Weight gain

Low estrogen levels have ill effects on the memory, concentration and sense of well-being of the affected person. Affected women find it difficult to focus, and they develop low sex drive.

Affected women somehow tend to develop an intolerance towards exercises, and suffer from problems such as frequent bladder infections, painful intercourse, facial skin burns or tingle, excessive perspiration, low self esteem, panic attacks, osteoarthritis and interstitial cystitis.

Other symptoms of low estrogen, besides the ones mentioned above, which are common in their occurrence include:

• Rapid pulse rate
• Reduction in breast fullness
• Low total cholesterol
• Vaginitis
• Vaginal infections
• Low back pain
• Health declining with age
• Bloating after meal
• Fatigue that keeps on increasing

Low Estrogen Causes

Apart from menopause being the primary cause for low estrogen level, in most cases, there are some conditions which are also included in the list of the offenders. According to experts, factors which are also strongly associated with the onset of this condition are as follows:

• Environmental causes
• Disorders related to eating habits
• Issues with lifestyle
• Stressful factors
• Late onset of puberty
• Anorexia

How to Treat Low Estrogen Levels?

Fortunately, there are numerous methods available for the treatment of low estrogen levels, and women do not have to deal with the problem for their entire life. Appropriate changes in the diet and inculcating regular exercise schedule are sure enough to help in the regulation of hormone levels in the body. Daily exercise regime of 20 minutes is good enough for treating low levels of estrogen in the body and restoring them up to a healthy level.

Diet must be rich in natural sources of estrogen which include:

• Alfalfa
• Animal flesh
• Anise seed
• Apples
• Baker's yeast
• Barley
• Beets
• Carrots
• Cherries
• Chickpeas
• Clover
• Cucumbers
• Dairy foods
• Dates
• Eggs
• Flaxseeds
• Garlic
• Oats
• Olive oil
• Olives
• Papaya
• Parsley
• Peas
• Peppers
• Plums
• Pomegranates
• Potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Red beans
• Rice
• Sesame seeds
• Soybean
• Sprouts
• Split peas
• Sunflower seeds
• Tomatoes
• Wheat
• Yams

Alternative treatment is also one effective way for treating low estrogen levels. Here, non-estrogenic herbs are a part of the treatment. These herbs, although they do not contain estrogen, nourish the hormonal glands to function more effectively. This helps in setting up the desired balance of estrogen in the body and maintaining other hormonal balance, as well. Apart from medicines, doctors may also opt for estrogen replacement therapy. However, the option is only reserved for cases which are extreme and do not show improvements with any other types of treatment.