4 Surprising Signs of Low Estrogen

Low estrogen is a common concern in women, especially among those over 40. If you feel a bit off and aren’t sure why, a hormone imbalance may be the reason.

If you’re curious whether your estrogen levels have plummeted, see Maria Cole, APRN, FNP-C, at Enrich Health and Wellness in Boerne, Texas, for an evaluation and hormone testing. We offer hormone therapy and other wellness services to help you feel more like yourself again.

Causes of low estrogen

Common causes of low estrogen include:

Aging
Menopause
Eating disorders (such as bulimia, anorexia)
Pituitary gland disorders
Excessive exercise and other stressors
Some genetic conditions
Autoimmune diseases attacking the ovaries
Chemotherapy
Hysterectomy (having your uterus removed)

Menopause and periomenopause (the period leading up to menopause) are common causes of decreased estrogen levels.

4 surprising signs of low estrogen

The following indications of low estrogen might surprise you:

1. Dry or wrinkled skin

Low estrogen can significantly impact the integrity of your skin, leading to dryness and/or wrinkling. These skin changes may result from decreased collagen production, reduced elasticity, and thinning tissues associated with hormonal changes and aging.

2. Weight gain in the belly

Reduced estrogen levels can contribute to a slowed metabolism and weight gain, particularly in your abdominal area.

3. Bladder changes

Bladder issues may also develop as estrogen levels plummet. Examples include incontinence (bladder leaks), an increased need to urinate, and more frequent bladder infections.

4. Heart concerns

Heart problems are surprisingly common among women, as more than 60 million women in the United States have some form of heart disease.

A woman’s risk of heart disease increases sharply after menopause, as estrogen appears to have heart-protection qualities. That could be a result of estrogen’s beneficial effects on high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as the “good” cholesterol.

Other symptoms of low estrogen

Low estrogen can affect you in other ways that you may already know about, including:

Night sweats
Hot flashes
Breast tenderness
Vaginal dryness
Osteoporosis (brittle or weak bones)
Trouble concentrating and brain fog
Difficulty sleeping and fatigue
Irritability and moodiness
Irregular periods
Decreased sex drive
Painful sex
Headaches

Visit our experts at Enrich Health and Wellness if you struggle with any of these unwelcome signs of low estrogen.

Ways to support estrogen balance

Adopting healthy habits can optimize hormone balance, including eating nutritious foods, maintaining a healthy weight, getting sufficient sleep, managing stress, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and staying active.

In addition to hormone therapy, which can supplement the body’s natural production of estrogen, Enrich Health and Wellness offers peptide therapy, medical weight loss, vitamin injections, and other services that can give you a wellness boost.

If you suspect you have low estrogen and desire balance, schedule an evaluation at Enrich Health and Wellness by phone or online today.