Different developmental phases in life are often accompanied by hormonal fluctuations. Many women are surprised or concerned when they first experience physical or psychological changes that are hormone-related.
While these changes are natural, it’s important to understand what is normal for each individual.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that send signals from one part of the body to affect another part. Hormone levels are constantly changing, and women’s ovaries produce both estrogen and testosterone.
What Is Estrogen?
Estrogen is responsible for growth and repair of reproductive organs and also plays a critical role in other body tissues and bone mass. There are three types of estrogen that are prominent during certain phases of a women’s life.
Estriol is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Estradiol is the primary estrogen in childbearing women and controls female characteristics and sexual function. Estrone is the main estrogen in women after menopause.
Causes for Decreased Estrogen
Decreased estrogen can be caused by a number of factors including illness, weight loss, and intense exercise.
Some of the medical conditions that have been linked to lower estrogen include: Hypogonadism , hypopituitarism, pregnancy failure (estriol), perimenopause and menopause (estradiol), and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Because estrogen is produced by the ovaries and fat tissue, women with low body fat may have below-average estrogen levels. Athletes, models, and women that exercise excessively or have anorexia nervosa are at an increased risk for decreased estrogen.
Causes of Increased Estrogen
Estrogen increases during puberty to facilitate the development of female sex characteristics including breasts, pubic hair, and body hair.
Other causes for higher estrogen levels include pregnancy, obesity, tumors in the ovaries or adrenal glands, and certain medications.
Effects of Increased Testosterone and PCOS
When the female body produces too much testosterone, women may experience irregular or absent periods, increased body and facial hair, frontal balding, acne, increased muscle mass, deepening of voice, and infertility.
Additionally, women that have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) often have higher than average levels of testosterone. Symptoms of PCOS include obesity, an apple-shaped body, excessive or thinning hair, acne, and menstrual irregularity.
Decreased Testosterone During Menopause
During perimenopause and menopause, women experience a decline in testosterone which may lead to a lower libido. Hormone replacement therapy can help increase testosterone levels and improve sex drive, but should be avoided in patients with a history of breast or uterine cancer.
To determine if your hormone levels are within normal limits, please call our office today to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Melinda Hall.