What is estrogen deficiency?
Estrogen deficiency occurs when estrogen levels in the body become too low. This can happen for various reasons, most commonly during perimenopause and menopause in individuals with ovaries due to declining ovarian function. It can also happen after surgical removal of the ovaries. Some other causes include:
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI): the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40
- Certain medical conditions affecting hormone production
- Some medications or treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Symptoms of low estrogen can vary but commonly include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood changes like irritability or anxiety
- Lack of energy and stamina
- Joint pain
- Reduced bone density over time (osteoporosis risk)
Estrogen plays important roles in many parts of the body, so deficiency can cause wide-ranging effects. Key problems include:
- Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal atrophy
- Increased risk of developing osteoporosis and losing bone density due to estrogen's role in bone health
- Potential changes in heart health and cholesterol levels
- Reduced sex drive and arousal due to declines in hormones like estrogen
If estrogen levels become very deficient, health and quality of life can suffer. Thankfully, there are treatments available to help manage low estrogen. The main options include:
- Hormone therapy (HT): Various estrogen/progesterone preparations that can be given as pills, patches, gels, rings, implants or shots
- Vaginal estrogen: Low-dose topical estrogen helps treat genitourinary symptoms
- Lifestyle changes: Diet, exercise, stress management can help some symptoms
- Medical treatments for specific issues like osteoporosis
In closing, estrogen deficiency stemming from menopause or other causes can produce difficult symptoms. But various effective treatment options are available to help replace estrogen, manage specific symptoms, promote wellbeing and reduce future health risks. Maintaining an open dialogue with your healthcare provider is key to developing an optimal management plan if you experience this issue.