Symptoms of High Estrogen
What is Estrogen?
Estrogen is one of two main sex hormones responsible for female physical characteristics and reproduction in the human body. The other is progesterone which helps maintain pregnancies and implant an egg in the uterus. Though it is responsible for female characteristics, estrogen is also produced in men – granted, in small amounts.
Estrogen plays a vital role in the development of female characteristics such as breast development, pubic and armpit hair, reproductive system instruction, and menstrual cycle regulation. Once a girl hits puberty, her ovaries become a major source of estrogen which essentially turns her into a woman. During puberty, ovaries begin releasing estrogen cyclically – called the menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels rise halfway into the cycle and trigger the release of an egg during ovulation. The estrogen levels then decrease after ovulation and the cycle repeats monthly.
Healthy Levels of Estrogen
Healthy levels of estrogen affect a significant number of female organs. Estrogen helps facilitate the growth of an egg follicle crucial for the reproductive system. It also helps to develop and maintain the vagina by thickening its wall and prevent bacterial infections with the production of vaginal acidity. In addition to thickening vaginal walls, estrogen thickens the muscular wall within the fallopian tubes responsible for transporting the egg and sperm cells. Estrogen also plays an important role along with other hormones in the breasts in milk production for breast-feeding.
As mentioned earlier, estrogen is responsible for developing the female physique. It makes bones smaller and shorter, pelvis wider, and shoulders narrower. Estrogen causes the female body to be more curvaceous and skin to be less susceptible to acne. Thanks to estrogen, female body hair becomes finer and less noticeable while making the hair on her head more durable.
Unnatural Estrogen Levels
Though there are cyclical changes in estrogen levels, unnatural spikes or drops in estrogen levels are possible due to life events, food consumption, and medication. Such unusual levels can cause unwanted symptoms. It is recommended that you keep track of any changes by keeping a journal and bringing that journal with you on a trip to your primary physician.
Some foods that may affect estrogen levels are those that contain phytoestrogens. Some scientists say phytoestrogens disrupt the endocrine system – capable of increasing or decreasing estrogen levels. Some foods that contain phytoestrogen include:
- Soy and soy protein
- Berries
- Nuts
- Fruit
- Wine
Other causes of altered estrogen levels include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. At Harley Institute, we offer HRT and make sure to follow-up and track levels to ensure consistency. Menopause and removal of the ovaries are also common reasons for low estrogen levels.
Bodily functions can become irregular when the estrogen levels in the body rise or fall too much. Imbalanced levels of estrogen lead to effects such as irregular menstruation and menstrual bleeding, mood swings, sleeping problems, weight gain in the pelvic region, dry skin, low sex-drive, and non-cancerous lumps in the uterus and breasts. High levels of estrogen can be found in men as well. High levels of estrogen in men can lead to infertility, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and large breasts.
If you have any questions or concerns about your estrogen levels then please give us a call at the Harley Institute. If any of your symptoms are severe and are causing lots of pain, then make sure to call your physician immediately.
