Estrogen deficiency - Vibrant Life Center

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What is estrogen deficiency?

Estrogen deficiency occurs when estrogen levels in the body become too low. This can happen for various reasons:

Causes

• Natural menopause - As women reach menopause, usually around age 50, their ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. This is a natural cause of declining estrogen levels.
• Surgical menopause - Surgical removal of the ovaries causes a sudden drop in estrogen production. This can happen from surgery such as hysterectomy or oophorectomy before natural menopause.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency - Also called premature ovarian failure, this condition causes the ovaries to stop functioning properly before age 40. It leads to reduced estrogen production.
• Other medical conditions - Certain disorders like pituitary tumors, chronic illnesses, or extreme weight loss can interfere with normal estrogen production.

Symptoms

An estrogen deficiency can cause various symptoms like:

• Hot flashes - Sudden feelings of warmth spreading through the body, often with sweating and reddening of the skin
• Night sweats - Hot flashes occurring at night
• Vaginal dryness - Thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls
• Mood changes - Irritability, depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping
• Bone loss - Weakening of bones, increasing risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life

Diagnosis and Treatment

If estrogen deficiency is suspected, a doctor can check hormone levels via blood tests. They may also examine symptoms and medical history.

Treatment options for low estrogen levels include hormone therapy with estrogen, often combined with progesterone. This helps relieve symptoms and prevent bone loss. Managing other underlying medical conditions may also help normalize estrogen levels.

Lifestyle measures like eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol can support hormone balance as well. For severe symptoms, bioidentical hormones or compounded hormones may be an option at Vibrant Life Center.

In summary, estrogen deficiency develops when the ovaries produce inadequate estrogen. It causes troublesome symptoms that can be evaluated through medical tests. Various treatment options are available today to help restore normal hormone levels. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle also helps the body better regulate estrogen production.