Navigating Estrogen and its Metabolites

Vanita Dahia

Vanita Dahia - Integrative Medicine Expert, Pharmacist, Naturopath and Author of Alchemy of the Mind and Alchemy of Amino Acids

Navigating Estrogen and its Metabolites

by Vanita Dahia

All Estrogens are not the same. As a woman ages, her estrogens together with progesterone declines to prepare for fertility in the younger years and protection in her post-menopausal years. Problems arise when estrogens become dominant relative to progesterone or Estrone elevates relative to estradiol or estriol.

An imbalance or estrogens is linked to a wide range of symptoms from hot flushes, night sweats, PMS, irritability, infertility, weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles, low libido, and foggy brain. Estrone is the most proliferative estrogen responsible for more serious hormone associated conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, fibrocystic breasts including cancer.

Why are Estrogens important?

Estrogen is a sex hormone that is produced primarily in the ovaries in women. It is also produced in small amounts in the testicles in men. Estrogen plays a role in a variety of functions, including:

Reproductive function: Estrogen is essential for the development and maintenance of female reproductive organs, such as the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes. It also plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Bone health: Estrogen helps to keep bones strong and healthy. After menopause, when estrogen levels decline, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle.
Heart health: Estrogen has a protective effect against heart disease. It helps to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Skin health: Estrogen helps to keep skin looking young and healthy. It also helps to prevent wrinkles and age spots.
Brain health: Estrogen may have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The symptoms of Estrogen Imbalance

Some common symptoms include:

Hot flashes: Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the body. They can last for a few minutes or up to an hour.
Night sweats: Night sweats are episodes of sweating that occur during sleep. They can wake you up and make it difficult to sleep.
Vaginal dryness: Vaginal dryness is a lack of moisture in the vagina. It can make sex uncomfortable and painful.
Irregular periods: Irregular periods are periods that are not regular in terms of length or frequency.
Weight gain: Weight gain is a common symptom of estrogen imbalance, especially in women with PCOS.
Acne: Acne is a condition that causes pimples to form on the skin. It is more common in women with PCOS.
Pain: Pain is a common symptom of endometriosis. It can occur in the pelvis, lower back, and abdomen.
Infertility: Infertility is the inability to get pregnant. It can be a symptom of endometriosis or PCOS.

Types of Estrogens

There are three main types of estrogen:

Estradiol: This is the most potent form of estrogen. It is produced primarily in the ovaries during the reproductive years.
Estriol: This is the weakest form of estrogen. It is produced primarily by the placenta during pregnancy.
Estriol: This is a type of estrogen that is produced in the body from other forms of estrogen. It is the main form of estrogen produced in the body after menopause.

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