Low Estrogen Levels in Menopause - URMC - University of ...

Estrogen is a kind of hormone that has an important role in the health of women. There are 3 types of estrogen: estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Skiptomaincontent Coronavirus(COVID-19):LatestUpdates|VisitationPoliciesVisitationPoliciesVisitationPoliciesVisitationPoliciesVisitationPolicies|COVID-19Testing|VaccineInformationVaccineInformationVaccineInformation CLINICALSERVICES ServicesListing PatientCareLocations CostEstimator FindaDoctor InformationforReferringPhysicians MYCHARTLOGIN EDUCATION SchoolofMedicine&Dentistry SchoolofNursing GraduateEducation Residency&Fellowships DentalEducation FacultyByDepartment LibraryServices RESEARCH OurResearchers ClinicalandTranslationalSciencesInstitute URMCResearchNetwork LabsListing URVentures ClinicalTrials&Studies Research@URMCBlog ABOUTURMC Maps&Directions GivingtoURMC Departments&CentersList ContactInformation Newsroom EventCalendar URMCHome ExploreURMC Tests&Procedures InteractiveEncyclopediaTools HealthyLiving YourFamily DrugReference Herbs,Vitamins&Supplements PreventionPlanner URMC/Encyclopedia/Content SearchEncyclopedia LowEstrogenLevelsinMenopause Whatisestrogen? Estrogenisakindofhormonethathasanimportantroleinthehealthofwomen.There are3typesofestrogen:estrone,estradiol,andestriol.Theyaffectthesexualand reproductivedevelopmentingirlsandwomen.Theovariesmakemostoftheestrogen inyourbody.Theadrenalglandsandfatcellsalsomakesmallamountsofestrogen. Estrogenaffectsthehealthofallofthesethings: Reproductivesystem Urinarytract Heartandbloodvessels Bone Muscles Breasts Skin Hairanywhereonthebody Mucousmembranes Pelvicmuscles Brain Changesinestrogenlevels Women’sestrogenlevelsfallduringperimenopause.Perimenopauseisaperiodoftime whenawoman’shormonesstarttochangeandcausesymptoms,beforehermenstrualperiod stopsfully(menopause).Menopauseiswhenyouhaven’thadanymenstrualbleeding for12months. Symptomsoflowestrogencaninclude: Hotflashes,flushes,andnightsweatsarethemostcommonsymptomsoflowestrogen. Attimes,bloodrushestoyourskin’ssurface.Thiscangiveyouafeelingofwarmth (hotflash).Yourfacemaylookflushed.Hotflasheswhileyouaresleepingarecalled nightsweats. Moodswingsareanothereffectoflowestrogen.Youmayfeelsad,anxious,orfrustrated. Shiftinghormonelevelsandnightsweatsmaydisruptyoursleep.Thiscancausefatigue, whichmaymakemoodswingsworse. Thinningtissuesmaycausediscomfort.Skinmayappearmorewrinkled.Thinningin theurinarytractmayleadtobladderinfections.Youmayalsohaveanurgentneed tourinate.Oryoumaylosebladdercontrol(incontinence).Thinningofthevagina maycausedrynessandpainfulsex. Majorhealthrisksoflowestrogeninclude: Osteoporosis.Estrogenhelpsmaintainstrongbonesbypreventingcalciumloss.Toolittlecalcium canincreasetheriskoffracturesinthespine,hips,andlegandarmbones.Women whodrinkalotofalcohol,whosmoke,whoarenotactive,andwhoarethinorpetite areatgreaterrisk.Afamilyhistoryofosteoporosismayalsoincreaserisk. Heartdisease.Estrogenmadebythebodyseemstoprotectagainstheartdisease.Itmaydothis byraisingthelevelofHDL(good)cholesterolintheblood.Aftermenopause,the riskforheartdiseaserisessharply.Talkwithyourhealthcareprovideraboutways toprotectyourhearthealth. Hormonereplacementtherapy(HRT) Hormonereplacementtherapy(HRT)canreducesomesymptomsofmenopause.HRTmaybe donewithamedicinethathasestrogen,ormedicinesthathaveestrogenandprogesterone. HRTmayalsohelppreventosteoporosisinsomewomen.Butitmayincreasetherisk forotherhealthconditions,includingheartdisease,breastcancer,bloodclotsin thelegsorlungs,andstroke.NotallwomenneedHRT.Talkwithyourhealthcareprovider aboutwhetherHRTisrightforyou. Ifyou’reconsideringHRT: Talkwithyourhealthcareprovideraboutthesymptomsthatbotheryouthemost. Askyourhealthcareprovideraboutthecurrentresearchandrecommendationsabout HRT. Askwhatyourpersonalhealthrisksareifyoutakeordon’ttakeHRT. MedicalReviewers: DanielNSacksMD DonnaFreebornPhDCNMFNP LouiseCunninghamRNBSN AskaMedicalLibrarianMakeanAppointment Physicians&Services URMCObstetrics&Gynecology(OB/GYN) RelatedNews AHintWhyHormoneTherapyforProstateCancerUltimatelyFails