Sweats, insomnia and depression – a lack of estrogen can have many effects on you and your body. We explain the hormonal imbalance and what you can do about it.
Estrogens belong to the class of steroids and are mainly produced in the ovaries and to a lesser extent in the adrenal cortex. Estrogen levels are different for every woman and are subject to natural fluctuations during the monthly cycle . Menopause changes a woman’s hormonal balance and estrogen production and thus estrogen levels decrease. However, low estrogen levels are not natural. Its consequences are not only unpleasant, like the famous hot flashes. Night sweats, insomnia and problems concentrating can lead to depression . A long-lasting low estrogen level also has a negative effect on theBone density decreases and can lead to osteoporosis . In addition, a lack of estrogen leads to various cardiovascular problems, such as tachycardia or high blood pressure . But as dramatic as the consequences may sound, many herbs have grown to counteract the lack of estrogen. If you eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, exercise regularly in the fresh air and pay attention to the changes in your body, you will usually get through the menopause well and healthy.
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Table of Contents
The symptoms of estrogen deficiency
The most well-known signs of disturbed hormone balance are:
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- vaginal dryness
- Libidoverlust
- depressed moods or depression
- weight gain
- exhaustion
- sleep disorders
- bleeding between periods
- Susceptibility to bacterial vaginal infections
- blemishes
- hair loss
- Bladder weakness (incontinence)
- memory disorders
How do I diagnose an estrogen deficiency?
In order to determine an estrogen deficiency, you should make an appointment with the gynecologist, who can use a blood test to determine a deficiency. However, several blood draws should take place, since the estrogen level varies over the course of the cycle and is subject to fluctuations. On average, a woman’s estrogen level is 50 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) and should not fall below 15 pg/mL.
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What can be the causes of estrogen deficiency?
The most common cause of estrogen deficiency is menopause . During this time, estrogen levels in the body naturally drop. However, that alone does not create a shortage. Only when the level drops very sharply, is it also medically spoken of an estrogen deficiency.
In addition to menopause, there are also pathological causes that can lead to a deficiency. They include adrenal insufficiency, the absence of an ovary or luteal insufficiency. Hormonal contraception with the micropill can also lead to a deficiency of the female sex hormone, since the birth control pill inhibits the body’s own estrogen production. Switching to another pill preparation or toother contraceptives may be helpful after consulting your doctor.
A very special cause of the lack of estrogen can be the so-called pubertas tarda , which delays sexual maturity due to the lack of estrogen. Girls are mostly affected who did not get their first period before the age of 18 and whose external sexual characteristics mature later. Causes associated with pubertas tarda include malnutrition, malnutrition (e.g. in anorexia) or high-performance sports.
How is estrogen deficiency treated?
The treatment of estrogen deficiency depends first of all on the cause. If women suffer from the symptoms during menopause, these can be significantly alleviated with hormone or hormone replacement therapy . It doesn’t always have to be tablets or plasters. Many complaints can also be curbed with estrogen-containing ointments or suppositories . If the cause is adrenal insufficiency, the main disease must be treated first. In such a case, estrogen patches are often used as a supportive measure. If one or both ovaries have been removed, plasters are a tried and tested means of guiding you through the menopause without major problems.
Natural remedies for estrogen deficiency
There are a number of proven home remedies that particularly support women going through menopause. These include above all chaste tree or black cohosh. Both agents have a regulating effect on the female hormone balance. It is best to consult your doctor beforehand. Herbal remedies are not recommended in every case, as they can have undesirable effects.
Certain foods also help to balance estrogen levels. These include, in particular, foods that contain phytoestrogens that are similar in structure to estrogen, e.g. e.g.:
- dried dates
- plums
- apricots
- Sesame
- linseed
- Chickpeas
- beans
- wheat germ
- cucumbers
- Knoblauch
- Broccoli
- carrots
- Saddlery
- Beetroot
- peanuts
By the way: phytoestrogens promise even more health benefits. They have a positive effect on blood vessel function and blood pressure.
Estrogen deficiency: What estrogen level is normal?
Estrogen fluctuates over the course of a cycle. In the first half of the cycle, the blood serum concentration of estradiol is 25 to 95 ng/l. During ovulation, the value increases and is between 75 and 570 ng/l. In the second half of the cycle, the estrogen level drops to 60 to 250 ng/l. After the menopause (postmenopause), the value is less than 45 ng/l.
