Estrogen is one of the key hormones that regulate many aspects of health and biology in women. There are different types of estrogen, but in general estrogen refers to a category of related hormones like:
These estrogen hormones are essential for things like:
Estrogen levels naturally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking around ovulation and falling during the pre-menstrual phase each month. These hormone fluctuations cause symptoms like tender breasts, mood changes, and shifts in energy levels.
Estrogen production starts to decline for women around perimenopause and menopause. When the ovaries no longer produce sufficient estradiol, this causes menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and trouble sleeping.
Low estrogen levels associated with menopause also impact long term health:
There are many options for menopause hormone therapy, which may include estrogen alone or with progestogens. Treatment can help relieve menopausal symptoms and has other protective benefits like reducing bone loss.
But hormone therapy does have risks like stroke, blood clots, gallstones, and cancer concerns that women should discuss with their doctor. Lifestyle approaches and non-hormonal medications are alternatives for managing symptoms.
At Hormone Harmony, our clinicians specialize in hormone balance at midlife and beyond. We provide cutting edge hormone tests to assess your estrogen levels and help create a personalized treatment plan. Contact us today to learn more!