How Does Low Oestrogen Symptoms Affect Your Periods?

Experiencing hot flashes, irregular periods or having trouble concentrating? These are some of the symptoms of low oestrogen in women. Oestrogen deficiency is often caused as you age. It’s common during perimenopause, menopause and sometimes even after giving birth. However, it can also be linked to chronic disease and can cause irregular periods.
Sighting the signs of low oestrogen is important for every woman. Thus, to help you out we’ve decoded low oestrogen symptoms and how it affects your menstrual cycle. Alongside, you can learn about the causes and treatments too. Keep reading to learn more!
What Is Oestrogen & Its Functions?
Oestrogen is one of the key hormones among women. It is produced in a larger volume in females than in males. This hormone performs multiple functions such as:
Regulating the menstrual cycle -
It looks after the development of the uterine lining throughout your periods.
Regulating body weight -
It controls your metabolism, thereby managing your weight.
Changes in the breasts -
During puberty and pregnancy, this hormone causes breast changes.
Aids bone density -
It assists in the development of healthy bone tissue

How Do Oestrogen Levels Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?
Being an essential female sex hormone, oestrogen bears the responsibility of regulating your menstrual cycle. And these oestrogen levels rise and decrease throughout the phases of your menstrual cycle. Typically, these hormones increase and decrease twice in one menstrual cycle. Before ovulation - the mid-follicular phase, your oestrogen levels increase. It peaks during ovulation and decreases steeply once ovulation is over. It again rises in the mid-luteal phase and drops as you begin to menstruate. Any disruption in this pattern can result in late, skipped, or absent periods.
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What Are The Low Oestrogen Symptoms?
Women of any age can develop low oestrogen symptoms. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of low oestrogen are as follows:
1. Irregular periods
2. Infertility
3. Weak bones
4. Dry skin
5. Hot flashes
6. Decreased libido
7. Irritability
8. Painful intercourse caused due to vaginal dryness
9. Weight gain in the belly region
10. Headaches
11. Breast tenderness
12. Worsening migraines
13. Insomnia
14. Trouble concentrating
It isn’t necessary that every woman who has low oestrogen levels would have these symptoms. In case they do, some of these oestrogen deficiency symptoms mimic other conditions. Therefore, it becomes a little tricky to understand if you have low oestrogen levels or not.
What Are The Causes Of Low Oestrogen Levels?
One may notice a drop in their oestrogen levels due to different reasons. It’s common to have low oestrogen as you grow older. However, low oestrogen outside menopause or perimenopause is associated with different health conditions. Note that oestrogen is mainly produced in the ovaries. Anything that affects your ovaries would ultimately cause oestrogen to decline.
Excessive exercise
Thyroid conditions
Genetic conditions like Turner syndrome
Pituitary gland dysfunction
Eating disorders like anorexia, and bulimia
Autoimmune conditions
Chronic kidney disease
Premature ovarian failure
Chemotherapy

How To Diagnose Low Oestrogen Levels In Women?
Depending on the symptoms and age, the doctor would suspect low oestrogen. He would ask you about your family history. Likewise, he is likely to conduct a blood test to determine your oestrogen levels. If you are menstruating, he would ask you to do the test during a particular point in your cycle. As oestrogen keeps fluctuating throughout your menstrual cycle, a definite point would provide a better diagnosis.
To further understand the cause behind your oestrogen deficiency symptoms, your doctor would recommend some more tests. These can include a physical exam, thyroid tests, pituitary hormone test, brain scan or scan of the ovaries.
How To Treat Low Oestrogen Symptoms?
Low oestrogen symptoms in women outside menopause can be managed through different treatments. Here are some of the ways in which low oestrogen levels are treated:
1. Oestrogen Therapy
This treatment is often recommended to women with oestrogen deficiency symptoms between the age of 25-50. It minimises the risk of cardiovascular disease, bone tissue deficiency and hormonal imbalances. Depending on the cause and severity, your doctor would monitor the dosage. Make sure that you talk to your doctor and understand the effects of this treatment before opting for it.
2. Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy works by balancing out your oestrogen levels. It is typically recommended for women approaching menopause. One can take this treatment through injection, orally, vaginally, or topically. Note that hormone replacement therapy isn’t meant for all. Speak to your doctor and understand whether it is safe for you or not.
3. Lifestyle Changes
In addition to medical treatment recommended by your doctor, certain lifestyle modifications can naturally balance out your hormones. These include,
- Having a balanced diet
- Not over-exercising
- Reducing stress by meditating
- Having enough sleep
Takeaway
If you suspect that your body is emulating low oestrogen symptoms and you are experiencing irregular or missed periods then it's time to see a doctor immediately. He will help you find the cause and the right treatment to balance out this hormone. Worry not, with the right treatment, your healthy menstrual cycle will be back on track.
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FAQs
1. Does a heavy period mean low oestrogen?
No, a heavy period doesn’t mean low oestrogen. Rather, missed or irregular periods are one of the signs of low oestrogen in women.
2. Can low oestrogen make periods worse?
Low oestrogen doesn’t always make periods worse. However, a drop in oestrogen levels can make your periods irregular. Thus, seeking medical help to balance out your hormones is quite important.
3. How do I know I am low on oestrogen?
Chances are that you might notice any of the following low oestrogen symptoms:
- Irregular periods
- Infertility
- Weak bones
- Dry skin
- Hot flashes
- Decreased libido
- Irritability & fatigue
- Painful intercourse caused due to vaginal dryness
- Weight gain in the belly region
- Headaches
- Breast tenderness
- Worsening migraines
- Insomnia
Note that it isn’t necessary that oestrogen deficiency would definitely cause the above-mentioned symptoms. If you suspect any hormonal imbalance, it is best to consult a doctor and seek medical treatment.
Disclaimer:
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