Estrogen is the sex hormone which is responsible for the sexual development and sexual traits such as wide hips, big breasts and additional body fat in women. When estrogen levels drop in a woman, it can trigger certain problems.
There are three types of estrogen, estradiol, estiol and estrone. Some females may not naturally synthesize adequate amounts of one or all the forms of estrogen.
The ovaries manufacture estrogen. Some estrogen is also synthesized by the adrenals. The pituitary gland sends signals for the synthesis, and the level of the hormone varies throughout life depending upon the phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Low Estrogen Symptoms In Young Females
The common symptoms of low estrogen in younger women are:
- Amenorrhea, irregular menstruation and delayed development.
- Early onset of menopause causing hot flashes and night sweats.
- Exhaustion
- Bone loss
- Insomnia, forgetfulness, headache, no libido and painful intercourse.
- Bladder infections
- Mood changes, depression and irritability.
- Inability to become pregnant.
Causes Of Low Estrogen In Young Females
- The chief cause is peri-menopause in young women i.e. menopause is likely to set in.
- Hysterectomy surgery and radiation treatment are important causes.
- Anorexia, thyroid anomalies and inadequate body fat reduce estrogen levels too.
- Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder which manifests as short stature, amenorrhea, lack of ovulation, and poor normal female development.
Other conditions which cause low levels of estrogen in younger women are – eating disorders, excessive exercise, and too little body fat. Excessive exercise, before and during the commencement of puberty, such as dancing and gymnastics, is an important factor for low estrogen levels and a delay in the normal female development.
Natural Treatment For Low Estrogen Levels
Confer with your health care provider or OB/GYN and he will decide what blood or urine investigation is required to find out if you have low levels of estrogen. Usually, the tests conducted are – estradiol, FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, T3, T4, and TSH. Young women suspected to have Turner’s syndrome may need to go through chromosomal testing.
Once the hormone profile results are out, your OB/GYN will prescribe the appropriate medications and drugs.
- At home, you can make certain lifestyle modifications. Ensure that you consume a healthy diet, reduce the intake of carbohydrates and increase your intake of fiber. Moderate exercise is also known to increase estrogen levels.
- Hormone replacement therapy is also advocated by specialists to battle the symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy balances your hormones, and effectively fights depression and mood swings as well.
- Younger women going through menopause are not treated in the same as older women are. The medicines differ and the underlying cause decides the specific treatment regimen in each case.
- Foods that are known to boost estrogen levels in the body naturally are – soy and its products, soy milk, tofu and tempeh, sesame seeds and figs. Talk to your doctor and include more of these foods in your daily menu.