Estrogens in women
Translated from the Greek language, "estrogens" mean "liveliness, brightness, genus." In general, this is the collective name for a special subclass of steroid female sex hormones. Estrogens are formed mainly in the ovaries. Experts distinguish three types of estrogens, they are estrone, estradiol and estriol. The name of the hormone comes from their ability to emit special odors in the female body, which I also call pheromones.
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Estrogen rate in women
To begin with, a little about what role estrogen plays in a woman's body and why it is so important to control its amount.
Estrogen is also called the hormone of youth, because thanks to it, a woman looks young and beautiful, full of vitality. The primary function of the female sex hormones estrogens is to ensure high-quality work of the reproductive function, they also support the woman in the perinatal period. They take an active part in the formation and normalization of the menstrual cycle, therefore, especially during puberty, their level rises significantly.
Under the influence of estrogen in girls, secondary sexual characteristics are formed: breast enlargement, body hair growth. The deposition of adipose tissue occurs in the female pattern, which gives the body graceful curves and features. The shape of the pelvis also takes on special forms, which in the future will make it possible to bear and give birth to healthy offspring. But not only beauty and purely female organs are affected by estrogens. Their positive work extends to the cardiovascular system, normalization blood pressure maintaining cholesterol levels, prevention of atherosclerosis. Estrogens affect the nervous system, activate the brain in a woman. Their influence is difficult to overestimate, and it is difficult to list the entire sphere of influence. But already on this it is clear how important it is to monitor the level of hormones in the body.
The level of estrogen hormones in the female body does not stand in one place and constantly varies depending on the cycle. During the follicular phase of the cycle, the volume of estrogen is at a relatively low level, but as the dominant follicle grows and develops, the amount of estrogen also increases. During this period, blood estrogen levels vary between 5-50 pg / ml. As soon as the follicle fully matures, ruptures and eggs are released from it, the level of estrogen becomes maximum, therefore, 90-300 pg / ml is considered the norm for ovulation. At the end of the ovulation period, the hormone declines and its concentration is 11-115 pg / ml.
During menopause, estrogen fluctuations are not so impressive and do not go beyond the 5-45 pg / ml border.
Symptoms of high estrogen
Paradoxically, the excess of the most important female hormone has a much more serious effect on the body than its deficiency, and it is more difficult to remove it than to replenish it. If the level of the hormone estrogen in a woman is normal, she is sexy, attractive, has velvety skin and a pleasant gentle voice, her emotions are bright, and her smile is radiant.
Excess estrogen is a serious problem. Ladies, whose weight is 20% higher than normal, often suffer from an excess of estrogen hormones. The body can cope with the initial stage of excess on its own, but the further the problem goes, the more difficult it is for both the body and the woman herself, because the symptoms are not the most pleasant. In no case should you delay the problem and seek help from specialists in a timely manner. The first warning signs of an excess of female hormone are:
- pain in the abdomen and head;
- long and painful menstruation;
- constant mood swings;
- bleeding between periods.
Symptoms of estrogen surplus can be divided into two groups: physiological and psychological.
Psychological signs of excess estrogen:
- tearfulness;
- panic attacks and persistent neuroses;
- reduced performance;
- feeling of weakness and fatigue;
- irascibility;
- memory problems;
- loss of interest in sex;
- depressive conditions.
Among the physical indicators are noted:
- hair loss;
- overweight;
- problems in the health of the gallbladder;
- low blood sugar;
- high pressure;
- darkening in the eyes;
- disturbed sleep;
- brittle nails;
- the appearance of cysts in the chest and ovaries;
- acne;
- feeling of heaviness in the legs;
- headache;
- swelling of the limbs;
- disturbed menstrual cycle;
- noise in ears.
The neglected stage of an overabundance of the hormone is fraught with very serious health problems. Convulsions, thrombosis, thyroid dysfunction, malignant tumors of the uterus and breast appear. There are no hopeless situations and it is possible to establish hormonal levels, only for this one should not self-medicate and consult a specialist for help in a timely manner.
Why is there increased estrogen in women?
There are a lot of reasons for excess estrogen in the body, but all this remains speculation, because despite the development of medicine, experts still cannot accurately answer the question of what leads to this problem.
It is generally accepted that the provocateurs of excess estrogen are:
- improper nutrition;
- interruptions in sexual relations;
- diseases of the reproductive system;
- problems with the endocrine system;
- constant overvoltage;
- the formation of cysts on the ovaries;
- pathology of the adrenal glands;
- neoplasms that independently produce estrogen;
- problems with the pituitary gland.
Often times, problems with estrogen levels do not appear for one reason, but for a whole set of factors. Some reasons were not mentioned here, but nevertheless they can also be attributed to a provocateur of an excess of sex hormones, these are:
- perinatal period;
- alcohol and tobacco abuse;
- puberty;
- long-term use of oral contraceptives.
How to lower estrogen
First of all, in order to lower the level of estrogen in the blood, you need to see a doctor. He will prescribe quality treatment that will normalize the condition with minimal damage to the rest of the body. However, it is possible to lower the hormone with the help of traditional medicine.
Herbs that lower estrogen levels:
- The Abrahamic tree has an excellent ability to keep the hormones estrogen and progesterone at normal levels. With its help, the menstrual cycle is normalized. Taking the herb in the form of a tincture is very simple: twenty drops three times a day. The effectiveness of this technique is very good, and the effect is noticeable after ten days. However, the duration of the course should be six months.
- Poppy shows good results - this plant lives in Peru. It significantly lowers estrogen and increases fertility in both men and women. The dose is 500-1,000 mg three times a day.
There are also foods that help lower estrogen levels:
- Linen. Flax seeds contain not only the function of reducing estrogen, they also have a sufficient amount of phytoestrogens that replace the natural hormone and contribute to its normalization.
- Fig. A very useful dietary product, which is very high in fiber. It helps fight obesity and eliminates body fat, which, by the way, have a very high estrogen content. Helps prevent breast cancer.
- Cellulose. A diet high in fiber leads to a decrease in estrogen in the body. There is a lot of fiber in legumes, vegetables and fruits. Fiber must be present in the daily diet and in healthy people.
- Garnet. It is a natural natural anti-aromatase. Aromatase are enzymes that convert fats and steroids into estrogen. The ability of pomegranate to block the action of these enzymes can seriously lower the level of estrogen hormones in the body.
- Grapes. Helps to neutralize excess estrogen production and helps to improve hormonal levels.
- Citrus. Due to the high content of vitamin C, hormones in the body are normalized.
In the process of lowering the level of estrogen in the blood, you should be aware of the products, the consumption of which must either be minimized or completely excluded from the diet. This includes anything that contains a lot of caffeine. It is worth limiting in the diet, or better for a while, completely stop consuming sugar and fatty foods.
Low estrogen symptoms
You can understand that the level of estrogen hormones is at a low level by the following factors:
- the presence of hot flashes (i.e., from time to time there is a feeling of heat);
- decreased sex drive;
- sharp jumps in mood;
- persistent headaches;
- weight gain;
- increased heart rate.
But this is not a complete list of signs of low levels of female steroid hormones. In addition to the above, it is worthwhile to be wary of profuse sweating, disturbed sleep, vaginal dryness, constant bloating even with proper nutrition, the appearance of wrinkles, the occurrence of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms are symptoms, however, it is by no means possible to diagnose oneself only on them. If you suspect you have a lack of estrogen hormones, contact a specialist and take tests that will accurately show the amount of the hormone. After that, the specialist will determine how to proceed further and, if necessary, prescribe competent treatment.
Why there is a lack of estrogen in women
There are two main reasons why estrogen deficiency is diagnosed. First of all, this is the period of menopause and infection of the pituitary gland. The latter regulates the amount of estrogen hormones, although they are produced in the ovaries. When the pituitary gland is infected, or when a woman is facing menopause (ovulation stops), hormonal levels drop dramatically.
In second place, the reasons for the lack of estrogen are unhealthy diet and excessive exercise. Recently, these factors have come to the fore and, unlike menopause and the pituitary gland, they are subject to a woman. Poor nutrition seriously reduces the amount of hormones produced, which immediately manifests itself in the corresponding symptoms. Any physical activity also inhibits the formation of hormones and lowers their level in the body. Estrogen helps to reduce muscle mass in order to give the body a seductive character. Regular exercise aimed at increasing muscle mass leads to the fact that the body produces less female sex hormones, so as not to disrupt the process of muscle growth.
As you can see, there are not so many reasons why hormones are declining, nevertheless, each one is faced with the listed factors, and some live in such a rhythm from day to day. And is it any wonder that every year "female" diseases are becoming more common.
How to increase estrogen in women
You can increase the level of estrogen with the help of medicines, or using natural gifts. In the first case, only a doctor prescribes treatment and medications, so we will not consider this point, but talk about how you can increase estrogen in the body without resorting to medications. It is much safer and with almost no side effects.
Foods that increase hormones in the body:
- seeds;
- grains;
- vegetables;
- fruits.
Most of these products contain what are called phytoestrogens, which are natural analogs of estrogens. There is a misconception that the correct use of phytoestrogens leads to the normalization of estrogen production in the body. This is not true. They can only act as auxiliary elements, but not as a provocateur of increased production. It is difficult to find an abundant concentration of phytoestrogens in fruits and vegetables than in legumes, but they are the basic key to proper nutrition, which helps to maintain hormonal levels in proper condition.
Phytoestrogens are found in satisfactory amounts in sweet potatoes, cassava and yams, while just 100 grams of vegetables such as garlic, broccoli and green beans can be found to be 94-600 mcg. In dried dates, 330 mcg is per one hundred grams, in the same amount of dried apricots the amount of phytohormones is already 445 mcg. Many of these elements are found in peaches, raspberries and strawberries - 48-65 mcg per hundred grams.
Soy can be called the leader in phytoestrogen content, only one hundred grams of the product contains 100-900 mcg of hormones. Moreover, both tofu and soy yogurt can be used in the "treatment". Unfortunately, now all soybeans are genetically modified, so eating it, like products based on it, is very dangerous to health. Nuts can be used as an additional source, on average, about 380 μg per 100 g of a nut.
Some herbs perfectly normalize the level of estrogen in the body, for this you just need to consume their decoctions and tinctures daily. Just before that, make sure that you are not allergic to them.
- Since ancient times, the simplest and most familiar mint has helped women fight an excess of male hormones and a lack of female hormones. With its regular use, it can be noted how the vegetation on the body ceases to be so abundant, and the general condition improves. To balance the hormone levels in the female body, just two cups of mint tea a day is enough.
- The fennel plant is very rich in anethole, a naturally occurring estrogenic compound. It has a beneficial effect on the female body, weakening the symptoms of menopause, improving lactation in nursing mothers and normalizing the cycle.
- With amenorrhea, pronounced PMS, hot flashes, excessive sweating and other unpleasant symptoms, Dong Quai, which is otherwise called female ginseng, helps very well.
- Red clover is also a type of natural estrogen that is very similar to natural hormones, however, in addition to correcting hormonal levels, it is often used to treat hot flashes, heart disease and bone problems. It is recommended to consume no more than 160 mg of the product per day, while observing all safety measures.
- There are many phytoestrogens in licorice, it is also licorice. Moreover, regular consumption of a drink from it leads to the normalization of the adrenal glands and the endocrine system, which means that the production of natural hormones is stimulated. The herb is applicable during menopause and to normalize the cycle, but long-term use is not recommended, just like the simultaneous administration with medications to normalize blood pressure.
You can stimulate hormone production by taking certain vitamins, which include:
- Vitamins of group B. Directly affect the health of the adrenal glands, prevent vaginal dryness. These are very important components in the production of estrogen hormones, and very often you can observe a lack of this group of vitamins in the body of women with such a diagnosis.
- Vitamin C. After menopause, the adrenal glands are the only place where estrogen is produced. The mentioned vitamin strongly affects the health of the organ, therefore, with its lack, the functioning of the adrenal glands is disrupted and, accordingly, problems with estrogen are observed.
- Vitamin E can stimulate the production of estrogen, which is proven by scientific research.