Low vs High Estrogen: Causes, Symptoms and Effects

Estrogen is a primary sex hormone of the female body, along with Progesterone. It plays a vital role in a woman’s sexual and reproductive health. 

Hormonal imbalance may cause Estrogen levels to fluctuate to concerning levels and impact an individual’s health in a variety of ways. 

This article explains low Estrogen vs high Estrogen symptoms, causes, and effects. 

What is Estrogen?  

Estrogen is a hormone that plays an invaluable part in female sexual development and reproductive health. Both men’s and women’s bodies produce Estrogen to some degree, but the levels are much more significant in females. 

Estrogen plays a role in puberty and the sexual development of girls, the development of follicles and ovulation, controlling uterine lining growth during the menstrual cycle, and many other bodily functions. 

Estrogen is of three types: 

1. Estrone (E1), the less potent form of Estrogen
2. Estradiol (E2), the most potent Estrogen type, especially during reproductive years
3. Estriol (E3), the primary form of Estrogen during pregnancy

The typical estradiol levels are 30-400 pg/mL for premenopausal adult women and 10-50 pg/mL for adult men. 

It is common for Estrogen levels to fluctuate throughout a person’s lifetime. However, hormone imbalance resulting in Estrogen levels that are too high or too low can affect a person’s reproductive health and cause health complications. 

Also read more to know about How Estrogen Affects Your Body 

What are the Causes of High Estrogen? 

Estrogen levels may rise due to the body producing too much of it. More commonly, Estrogen levels rise due to certain medicines and the body’s lessened ability to break down Estrogen and remove it from the body. 

Causes of high Estrogen can include:

1. Certain medications, including hormone therapy medicines used to correct low Estrogen levels
2. Obesity or excessive body fat
3. High stress levels
4. Excessive alcohol consumption
5. Presence of synthetic xenoestrogens (chemicals found in items like household cleaning supplies) in the body
6. Liver problems 

What are the Symptoms of High Estrogen? 

Estrogen and Progesterone work together to regulate the uterine lining. If the body fails to produce sufficient Progesterone, Estrogen may take over and cause tumours in the uterine lining. 

Additional high Estrogen symptoms include:

1. Decreased sex drive
2. Irregular periods
3. Irregular flow or bleeding during periods
4. Dense breast tissue
5. Weight gain, especially around the hips and waist

What are the Causes of Low Estrogen?  

Estrogen levels naturally reduce as a woman gets older, especially when she enters menopause. Besides menopause, low Estrogen levels can be caused by:

1. Genetic conditions such as Turner Syndrome or Fragile X Syndrome
2. Autoimmune diseases that target the ovaries
3. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia
4. Premature menopause, where the ovaries stop producing eggs before the age of 40
5. Conditions that affect the pituitary gland, the hormone-secreting gland of the body
6. Treatments, such as chemotherapy, that can damage the ovaries

What are the Symptoms of Low Estrogen? 

Low Estrogen can have several effects on the body, with symptoms depending on the development stage of the individual.

Low Estrogen symptoms include:

1. Headaches before or during periods
2. Increased irritability
3. Trouble concentrating
4. Night sweats
5. Irregular or absent periods
6. Weight gain
7. Vaginal dryness
8. Tender breasts and dry skin
9. Fatigue and sleeping troubles

What are the Effects of High Estrogen vs Low Estrogen on the Body?

While both men and women produce Estrogen, low and high Estrogen levels affect women the most. 

High Estrogen levels can worsen symptoms of conditions an individual already has, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis. It may also have behavioural effects like depression and anxiety. 

The effects of low Estrogen can depend heavily on an individual’s age. For young girls, low Estrogen levels may delay puberty and slow or even stop sexual development. For older women going through perimenopause or menopause, low Estrogen can cause a decreased sex drive and hot flashes. 

How are Estrogen Levels in the Body Tested? 

To test Estrogen levels, healthcare professionals take a blood sample from an individual and use it for an Estrogen test. An Estrogen test helps to measure an individual’s levels of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), or estriol (E3). 

Ensuring healthy levels of Estrogen in the body is key to maintaining sexual and reproductive health. To check Estrogen levels, book an Estrogen level test with Dr Lal PathLabs today. 

 FAQs 

1. How to reduce Estrogen levels in the body?

Exercising, decreasing excess body fat, limiting alcohol intake, and eating a fibre-rich diet are all excellent ways to reduce Estrogen levels naturally. 

2. How to increase Estrogen levels in the body?

Including soybeans, tofu, flax seeds, red clover, Vitamins B and D, and the mineral boron in a person’s diet are all easy ways to increase Estrogen levels in the body. 

3. How are high Estrogen effects for men?

While a certain level of Estrogen is healthy for men’s reproductive health, high Estrogen levels can cause erectile dysfunction, infertility, and enlarged breasts.