Signs and Symptoms of High Estrogen Levels

For your body to function as it should, it needs a certain hormonal balance. Many health problems may manifest due to hormonal imbalance. In this article, discover some of the causes of high estrogen levels and the symptoms they cause.

Do you know what estrogen is? It’s a female sex hormone that the ovaries and adrenal glands primarily segregate.

Estrogen causes the manifestation of secondary female sexual characteristics. In women, it causes breast development and menarche. It regulates the menstrual system and reproductive system functioning.

On the other hand, testosterone is the masculine hormone that’s produced by the testicles. Its main function is developing genital glands and maintaining secondary male sexual characteristics.

Although each is identified by gender, both are found in men and women.

What causes high estrogen levels?

High estrogen levels could be related to accidental causes to even bad habits, such as:

• Alcohol abuse.
• Excessive consumption of fast food (although there aren’t any reliable sources regarding this as of yet).
• Certain medications.

These reasons can also cause estrogen levels to increase:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Old age (which leads to lower testosterone)
• Obesity
• Hypothyroidism
• In the case of men, testicular tumors
• Exposure to phytoestrogens or xenoestrogens
• An abnormal drop in progesterone levels
• In the case of diabetics, insulin problems
• Consumption of drugs that contains estrogen
• Steroid use
• Drug use
• Birth control pills
• Digestive system problems
• Kidney problems
• Exposure to chemical products (such as food pesticides, for example)
• Cirrhosis

What are the symptoms of high estrogen levels?

• Swelling
• Breast swelling and soreness (caused by fibrocystic breast changes, for example)
• Increased premenstrual symptoms and decreased sexual desire
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Headaches and difficulty remembering information
• Mood changes
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Cold hands or feet
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Sleeping problems

Effects of high estrogen levels in men

Sometimes, estrogen or testosterone levels can be higher than what’s considered normal. When this happens, the hormonal balance that guarantees proper body functioning is lost.

Below, discover the possible effects of abnormal estrogen levels in men.

Infertility problems

Estrogen is partly responsible for healthy sperm development. When there are high levels of estrogen, the number of sperm in the semen can decrease. This is one of the causes of male infertility.

If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for some time, you should consult your doctor. They can run some tests to see if high estrogen levels are the problem.

Gynecomastia

Estrogen stimulates the growth of breast tissue. Excessive estrogen may cause abnormal breast growth in men.

This impacts many men’s self-esteem. Fortunately, there’s the option of plastic surgery which, in fact, is becoming more common.

Erectile dysfunction

The balance between testosterone and estrogen is important for human sexual development. Thus, sexual functions may be affected when there’s an imbalance. Thus, it may be hard for men to maintain an erection.

However, it’s worth mentioning that hormonal erectile dysfunction is uncommon.

How to diagnose high estrogen levels

Your doctor will likely require a blood sample to verify the estrogen levels in your body.

Once they have the results, your doctor can prescribe drugs to help you maintain balanced levels. Meanwhile, they may also ask you to change aspects of your lifestyle. This ensures a comprehensive treatment of the symptoms.

How to avoid increasing your estrogen levels

There are many ways to avoid high levels of this hormone. It’s very important to change some habits. With simple actions, you could be doing a lot for your health.

• Lower your alcohol consumption.
• Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.
• Avoid fatty foods.
• Reduce stress levels (although, as of yet, no studies indicate a relationship).
• Consume more fiber.
• Play a sport or exercise at least three times a week.

High estrogen levels may increase the risk of other serious conditions, such as breast cancer. Also, exposure to high estrogen levels for extended periods can cause endometrial cancer.

Consult your doctor

If you’re experiencing unusual symptoms, it’s best to consult a doctor. The medical professional can determine the cause of your symptoms. Likewise, it is very important to quickly treat hormone imbalances and their underlying causes.

It’s very important to treat estrogen imbalances in time. Before that, doctors must determine their causes. Remember that any condition, no matter how serious it is, has a solution if it’s treated in time.

Above all, the best course of action to prevent most of them is leading a healthy lifestyle.

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