Estrogen, a primary female reproductive hormone, plays a vital role in ovulation, and it is also the primary hormone that nurtures or conditions the uterus as it gets ready for the incoming embryo. Can low estrogen cause infertility? Yes.
Symptoms Of Low Estrogen Levels
- Hot flashes
- Headache
- Backache
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Sagging of skin
- Abdominal pain
- Mood swings
- Irregular menstrual flow or timing
- Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
- Sleep problems
- Increased bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein (LDL) that may lead to cardiovascular disease.
- Increased rate of bone demineralization that imposes greater risk for osteoporosis.
- It can decrease libido.
- Anovulation or the absence of production of matured egg cell.
- Infertility
Low Estrogen Infertility Causes
- The pituitary glands do not properly send signals that stimulate the ovary to release estrogen. This may be due to excessive excercise, low body weight, and eating disorders.
- The ovary has problems releasing estrogen. This is diagnosed by measuring levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Increased FSH means that the pituitary gland has been trying to stimulate the ovary but the latter does not respond.
Increase Estrogen Levels Naturally
Make sure that for the treatment for low estrogen levels you include these estrogen-rich foods in your diet:
- Beans, nuts, legumes – cow peas, lima beans, lentils, soybeans, split peas, red beans, chick peas, and soybean sprouts
- Fruits – apples, cherries, dates, papaya, plums, and pomegranates
- Barley, brown rice, oats, wheat
- Clover, garlic, licorice, parsley, and sage
- Seeds of sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, flax, fennel, anise, alfalfa
- Vegetables like beets, carrots, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, tomatoes, and yams
Here are foods that lower estrogen levels so you have to be cautious consuming them:
- Fruits like berries, citrus, figs, melon, grapes, pears, pineapple
- Grains like buckwheat, millet, tapioca, white rice, white flour
Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, corn, green beans, onions, and squash