How Balancing Estrogen Affects Your Health

Estrogen is a hormone that plays a significant role in both men’s and women’s health. Although it’s often thought of as a “female hormone,” men need estrogen too! Keeping estrogen levels balanced is crucial for overall well-being, regardless of gender.

Why Is Estrogen Important?

It is involved in many essential functions, including:

• Regulating menstrual cycles and fertility
• Supporting bone health
• Maintaining cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health
• Promoting healthy skin and hair
• Influencing mood and mental clarity

For men, it is necessary for:

• Bone strength
• Brain function
• Heart health
• Libido

However, too much or too little of it can cause health issues for both men and women.

The Role of Estrogen in Women’s Health

For women, these levels change throughout life, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Balanced estrogen is vital for:

• Regular menstrual cycles: Helps regulate periods and prevent heavy or painful menstruation.
• Bone health: It supports bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis as women age.
• Mood and mental clarity: Proper levels help stabilize mood and improve memory and focus.

What Happens When Estrogen Is Imbalanced?

• Low estrogen can cause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
• High estrogen might lead to weight gain, headaches, breast tenderness, and heavy periods.

The Role of Estrogen in Men’s Health

Men also produce it, though in smaller amounts than women. Balanced estrogen is important for:

• Bone strength: It helps maintain bone density, preventing fractures and bone loss.
• Heart health: It supports healthy cholesterol levels, which is essential for cardiovascular health.
• Sexual function: Proper levels contribute to a healthy libido and sexual performance.

What Happens When Estrogen Is Imbalanced in Men?

• High estrogen can cause weight gain, low libido, and enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia, the dreaded “man boobs”).
• Low estrogen may lead to weak bones, joint pain, and mood changes.

How to Balance Estrogen Levels

Balancing estrogen can help improve your overall health and well-being. Here are some ways to achieve balanced levels:

1. Healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and high quality proteins. These foods provide so many of the nutrients that help regulate hormones.
2. Regular exercise: Physical activity (most importantly the muscle-building types) helps maintain a healthy weight, which is essential for hormone balance.
3. Manage stress: High stress levels can affect hormone production, so finding ways to react to stressors in a healthy way is important.
4. Avoid hormone disruptors: Limit exposure to chemicals found in plastics, pesticides, and personal care products, as they can interfere with estrogen levels.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) may help. BHRT uses hormones that are identical to the ones your body naturally produces. It can be an effective way to restore the balance, especially during menopause for women or as men age.

Key Takeaways

• It is vital for both men and women’s health.
• Balanced estrogen supports bone health, mood, heart health, and sexual function.
• Imbalanced estrogen can cause symptoms like weight gain, mood swings, and low libido.
• Lifestyle changes and BHRT can help restore estrogen balance.

If you’re struggling with symptoms of hormone imbalance, reach out to a healthcare provider to discuss your options. Balancing estrogen can make a big difference in how you feel!

Nourish House Calls provides Functional and Regenerative Medicine services to patients in Illinois, Florida, Arizona, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In-person house calls are available in Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Westmont, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, La Grange, Western Springs, Burr Ridge, and surrounding areas. Telemedicine is available both inside and outside of Illinois, including Chicago, Miami, Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Phoenix, and Portland.

If you would like to learn more about how Nourish House Calls can help you balance your hormones, click here to schedule a free, 15-minute discovery call.