Hormone Imbalances Affect Women

How Hormone Imbalances Affect Women

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Everyone (both men and women) have hormone levels that change naturally over time as the body develops and changes. While hormone level changes are to be expected, sometimes imbalances in hormones can result from unexpected changes that throw the whole system out of whack. These hormone variations can be accompanied by some unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms, especially in women when their estrogen levels alter. Social Media Marketing Agency in Goa

What Exactly is Estrogen?

Estrogen is not just one hormone, but an entire class of related sex hormones that women have in high levels, including estriol, estradiol, and estrone. Estradiol is the primary sex hormone for childbearing women that is formed in the developing ovarian follicles, and is responsible for physical female characteristics and sexual functioning. Estriol is made from the placenta and is produced during pregnancy, and estrone is the main estrogen component that is present after menopause.

Natural Low Estrogen Levels

Estrogen levels rise during puberty as the body changes, and they naturally fall during menopause, as women’s bodies change again between the ages of 40 to 55. These changes in hormone levels are completely natural, but they can be alarming when they’re happening. While rising estrogen levels during puberty cause breast development and a more mature figure for young girls, the changes that accompany menopause can create irregular periods, hot flashes, loss of libido and vaginal dryness.

Runner athlete feet running on road. woman fitness silhouette sunrise jog workout wellness concept.Reasons for Low Estrogen

Other than menopause, there are many other reasons that estrogen levels fall. They include:

  • Extreme exercise and training regimens
  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Pregnancy failure
  • Hypopituitarism
  • Hypogonadism

Women at Risk for Low Estrogen Levels

Women with low body fat tend to be at risk of low estrogen levels, which is why athletes and people with eating disorders are the primary people affected by this. Low estrogen levels that do not occur when they should (that is, after menopause) might be reason to have tests run by a doctor, and take steps to regulate the hormone balance.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition caused by an imbalance of hormones, and specifically a high level of testosterone. While all women have testosterone in their bodies, if the level of this hormone is too high, the resultant effect can be an increase of body hair, acne and muscle mass, a deepening in voice and frontal balding. High testosterone levels can cause a woman to have irregular or absent periods and infertility.

PCOS is an endocrine condition that is seen in some women is childbearing years who have difficulty getting pregnant. The symptoms of PCOS include:

  • Obesity
  • An apple-shaped body
  • Excessive or thinning hair
  • Acne
  • Menstrual Irregularity

 

Testing Your Hormone Levels

If you think your estrogen levels are too high or too low, you can get your doctor to do a physical examination to determine whether your symptoms necessitate further laboratory tests.

These checkups and tests are very important if you have pre-existing health condition like PCOS, or if you’ve stopped menstruating because of excessive athletic training or as a result of an eating disorder like anorexia. If the tests reveal abnormal hormone levels, you can then work with your doctor to balance them out and alleviate the resulting symptoms.

 

Article Source

http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/normal-testosterone-and-estrogen-levels-in-women?page=3#2

http://www.webmd.com/women/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-topic-overview

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