Estrogen is a hormone that is present in both males and females but the hormone is predominant in females. Estrogen holds an important function in the body. It serves as the body’s messenger and acts to transport information to the body’s different organs and parts. Estrogen affects almost all cell and organ in the body and is required for crucial bodily functions especially in women. Low levels of estrogen can have several causes and can produce unhealthy side effects in the body.
Side Effects Of Low Estrogen Levels
Estrogen production can decrease with age and eventually stops when a woman reaches menopause.
Some of the side effects of lowered estrogen levels include:
- Hair loss
- Sagging skin
- Weight gain
- Itching
- Dry skin
- Generalized aches and pain (e.g. headache, abdominal pain, back pain)
- Hot flashes
- Irregular menstruation
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Urinary incontinence
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Impatience
- Poor concentration
- Nervousness
- Frustration
Low Estrogen Side Effects In Men And Women
Side effects of low estrogen in young women
- Sleeping problems
- Hot flashes
- Excessive sweating
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Increased risk for bone loss, fractures, pain.
- Irregular menstruation
- Decreased libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during intercourse
- Premature failure of the ovaries
- Infertility
Low estrogen side effects in men
- Increased risk for fractures, most commonly hip fractures.
- Body temperature changes.
- Decreased sexual libido
- Skin irritations
- Vocal changes
- Weight gain
- Gonad size changes
- Body odor changes
Herbal Remedies For Low Estrogen
As low estrogen level can be a risk factor for increasing the cholesterol level in the body, it is primarily a concern in a long term, for increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Besides research suggests that palpitation, giddiness, anxiety is commonly observed in women having low estrogen level for a prolonged period in their body. Therefore any symptoms of this nature should be carefully watched for a developing or existing cardiovascular risk in men as well as in women.
Few years ago it was found that synthetic hormones which were used as a hormone replacement therapy, resulted into serious side effects, therefore men and women prefer natural home remedies as an alternative to HRT. There are number of plants having the quality of estrogen, these are known as phytoestrogens. They carry the same function of estrogen that is produced in the body. Some the natural sources of phytoestrogens are soy products, flaxseeds, walnuts, cashew nuts, sunflower seeds, kidney beans, potato, carrots, zucchini, asparagus, barley, oats, rye, wheat. These foods can be consumed when there is a low estrogen level in the body.