As women get older their estrogen levels may get lower. This can happen at any age, but it is more likely to occur in women who are at the age of menopause. This can be around the ages of 40-52 or when their period stops for 12 months straight. Even in the perimenopause stage, estrogen can become lower.
This can affect a woman in many ways and can even be a possible health risk. I can also be a good indicator there needs to be a change in their life. Low estrogen can occur in women from their puberty stages, all the way to their menopause stages and through any of it, it can affect their mental and physical health.
Causes
The most common cause of low estrogen would be a woman going through perimenopause all the way through to menopause. Women going through these stages will get a drop in their estrogen levels along with hot flashes, night sweats, and even their skin and hair being dryer and thinner. Many things occur when menopause takes place and it does not always have to cause alarm. Assuring you are getting the proper nutrients and diet and exercising can help stay healthy through the adjustments.
In younger women, anorexia can be a symptom of low estrogen. Being severely underweight can cause a multitude of issues within the body, and with women, it can cause a higher risk of getting lower levels of estrogen.
On top of that, excessive exercise and chemotherapy can also cause a lower estrogen level in women as well. Having a family history of low estrogen can also be a likely cause of you obtaining it as well.
Effects
The lower the estrogen levels, the more changes can occur to the body. No matter the age, there is a magnitude of effects that can take place. Of course, loss of libido could be one of the many symptoms of low estrogen.
Sleep disturbances can start to appear as well. These can come in the form of night sweats or not sleeping well. It is important to take note of these types of things if they start to happen on a regular nightly basis.
Problems mentally may occur to women with lower estrogens. It can show through being more moody than usual or completely changes in mood and attitudes, even new-onset depression. Starting menopause can also make this happen, making both very intertwined.
A lot of symptoms of low estrogen can be assisted with keeping your body healthy and listening to its needs. It is important to remember to keep track of any strangeness that might occur. Deeper issues like joint pain and cognitive issues that may happen could lead to worse issues if it is not taken into account. Of course, not all of these issues need the attention or treatment talked about, but there are hormone treatments that could help assist in the process.