What is estrogen deficiency?
Estrogen deficiency occurs when estrogen levels in the body become too low. This can happen for various reasons:
Causes
- Menopause - Estrogen levels begin dropping during perimenopause and become very low after menopause. This is a natural cause of estrogen deficiency in aging women.
- Oophorectomy - Surgical removal of the ovaries causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels. This causes premature menopause in premenopausal women.
- Problems with ovulation - Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and primary ovarian insufficiency can impair ovulation and lead to low estrogen.
- Eating disorders - Very low body weight associated with anorexia, bulimia, and over-exercising can shutdown ovulation and estrogen production.
Symptoms
Women with estrogen deficiency may experience various symptoms like:
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood changes
- Sleep problems
- Bone loss
- Heart health risks
The severity of symptoms depends on how quickly and severely estrogen levels drop. Surgical menopause tends to cause more severe symptoms compared to natural menopause.
Treatment
- Hormone therapy - Estrogen therapy, with or without progesterone, can effectively treat symptoms of estrogen deficiency. Systemic therapy and low-dose vaginal preparations are options.
- Lifestyle changes - Diet, exercise, stress management, and other healthy lifestyle measures may help manage some symptoms.
- Manage underlying condition - Treating the root cause of estrogen deficiency like eating disorders, PCOS, etc. can help restore normal hormone levels.
Estrogen deficiency can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. Thankfully, there are solutions available to treat the symptoms and manage the underlying causes. Consulting a doctor at Harmonize Wellness Clinic is important to determine the suitable treatment options for individual needs and health status.