As women age, their bodies begin to produce fewer hormones, with estrogen being a main one. This reduction in estrogen, and the imbalance of hormones in general, results in a variety of symptoms. This is also when women begin to go through menopause. Along with unwanted symptoms, low estrogen also increases the risk for certain health conditions. There are many things to understand about hormones and menopause symptoms, and the more prepared women are, the better they will be able to manage everything.
Symptoms of Low Estrogen
The symptoms of low estrogen and the symptoms of menopause are pretty much the same. Common ones include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal itchiness and dryness
- Low libido
- Irregular periods
- Mood swings and irritability
- Sleep issues and fatigue
Menopause and Pregnancy
Menopause has various stages, and perimenopause is the early phase. One symptom during this time is irregular periods. Some months, women will experience no period, while others, the period duration will vary. During this phase, one may wonder, can you get pregnant during menopause with no period?
The truth is that a woman can get pregnant during perimenopause. This is not as common, as there are fewer viable eggs, but it can occur. That is why it is still important for women to use some type of contraceptive if they do not want to become pregnant.
However, menopause is the phase that occurs after it has been one year since the last period. Once a woman reaches menopause, it is not possible to get pregnant.
Health Risks of Low Estrogen
Estrogen plays many important roles in the body. Some of these include maintaining strong bones and protecting the heart. Once the levels of estrogen begin to decline, women are at greater risks of osteoporosis and heart disease. Women who are at even higher risk of osteoporosis include those who smoke, drink large amounts of alcohol, are not physically active, and are petite.
Options for Balancing Hormones
There are ways to reduce the effects of low estrogen. In the medical world, many doctors recommend hormone replacement therapies to improve hormone balance. However, these come with risks, such as stroke, breast cancer, and heart disease, and some women do not want to take that risk.
Fortunately, there are alternatives. S-equol mimics estrogen, and the main ingredient comes from plants, so it does not have negative side effects. Also, if you are wondering where to buy s-equol supplement, the good news is that it is available over the counter, so you do not need a prescription.
There are ways to boost estrogen through nutrition. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that mimic estrogen, and sources include tempeh, tofu, linseeds, sesame seeds, legumes, broccoli, carrots, and oranges.
Certain herbs also mimic estrogen. These include:
- Chaste tree berry
- Black cohosh
- Red clover
- Licorice root
- Evening primrose
- Dong quai
Experiencing the effects of low estrogen is not fun, whether it is during menopause or due to another reason. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the effects and reduce associated symptoms and health risks.