Affects of Low Estrogen In The Menopausal Transition

Doctors and researchers are not sure that menopausal symptoms are the result of or affects of low estrogen. Some women experience very few menopausal symptoms, while others are plagued by numerous symptoms throughout the menopausal transition. Hormone replacement therapy was the treatment of choice for many years, but many women have questions concerning the sources of estrogen used for this type of therapy. Here we look at some of the possible affects of low estrogen on a woman's body and the various sources of estrogen supplementation.

The primary affects of low estrogen levels are irregular or missed periods, as occurs in the years leading up to and during menopause. Women whose ovaries have been damaged or surgically removed typically experience severe hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, no matter what their age. Typically when researchers use laboratory animals to study the affects of low estrogen, they remove the animal's ovaries. Through clinical studies, animal research and cell-line studies, researchers have shown that some menopausal symptoms are likely to be caused by the affects of low estrogen, while others may simply be related to the aging process.

During a woman's reproductive years, the primary function of estrogen is to prepare the uterus to receive a fertilized egg, but it affects many other parts of a woman's body. Researchers have studied the affects of low estrogen on the skin, bones, brain and vagina. They have investigated the relationship between estrogen levels, sexuality and a woman's overall sense of well-being. They have studied various sources of estrogen and based on these studies, recommendations are made concerning hormone replacement therapy or alternative treatment plans. Typically when a woman's symptoms are mild to moderate, doctors will initially recommend dietary and lifestyle changes.

The sources of estrogen most commonly used by pharmaceutical companies are horses. Estrogen is obtained from the urine of pregnant mares. When the sources of estrogen are horses, they are referred to as "equine estrogens". Women participating in the Women's Health Initiative were taking equine estrogens, either alone or in combination with synthetic progesterone. These studies were concluded early due to the number of adverse events reported, which included blood clots and stroke. The study concluded that the health risks of hormone replacement therapy outweigh the benefits. However, many health experts note that only equine estrogens were used in the study and that other sources of estrogen may be safer.

Bio-identical hormones are available from some clinics. These are designed in compounding pharmacies to be molecularly identical to a woman's own hormones. The sources of estrogen and other hormones used for this therapy are animals and plants. Some are created in the laboratory. There have been no long-term studies concerning the safety of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. It is hoped that since the hormones are identical to a woman's own that the body will not respond negatively to them.

Dietary sources of estrogen are sometimes recommended to help women during the menopausal transition. Some plants contain an estrogen-like compound. These are referred to as phytoestrogens or isoflavones. The best known sources are soy and red clover. Soy can be added to the diet, if a woman is not allergic, but some research indicates that dietary supplements containing isoflavones are more effective for relieving hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

Many women have been able to avoid the affects of low estrogen without hormone replacement therapy. To learn more about dietary supplements that can help relieve menopausal symptoms, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.