Is it better to take estrogen or not?

If you're younger than age 45, you need enough estrogen to provide protection against the long-term health effects of estrogen deficiency. If you have lasting menopausal symptoms that significantly impair your quality of life, your doctor may recommend longer term treatment. Seek regular follow-up care.

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What happens if I don't take estrogen?

These lower hormone levels cause a number of health issues throughout your body: Brain and nervous system – You experience a mix of physical and emotional symptoms like mood swings, memory loss, irritability, hot flashes, fatigue, night sweats, anxiety, and depression.

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What are the pros and cons of taking estrogen?

Hormone therapy can help ease symptoms of menopause. But it is associated with a lot of serious risks if used over the long term. Although the treatment lowers the risk of bone fractures, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel problems) and breast cancer.

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How do I know if I should take estrogen?

What Are the Signs that You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?
  • Low sex drive. The lack of estrogen can cause changes in your libido, and some women may find it more difficult to become sexually aroused. ...
  • Chronic Vaginal Itching and Burning. ...
  • Night Sweats. ...
  • Mood Swings. ...
  • Chronic Insomnia. ...
  • Hot Flashes. ...
  • Hair Loss. ...
  • Urinary Problems.

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At what age should a woman start taking estrogen?

You can usually begin HRT as soon as you start experiencing menopausal symptoms and will not usually need to have any tests first. However, a blood test to measure your hormone levels may be carried out if you're aged 40 to 45.

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The real reason why women are being denied Hormone replacement therapy - BBC London

36 related questions found

Does estrogen cause weight gain?

Estrogen promotes the storage of fat for healthy reproductive years. When estrogen is balanced, the right amount of fat helps carry out female reproductive functions. However, when there's too little or too much estrogen, weight gain often results.

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What are the signs of low estrogen?

Symptoms of low estrogen can include:
  • Hot flashes, flushes, and night sweats are the most common symptoms of low estrogen. At times, blood rushes to your skin's surface. ...
  • Mood swings are another effect of low estrogen. You may feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. ...
  • Thinning tissues may cause discomfort.

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What are the negative effects of estrogen in females?

Natural and synthetic estrogen may cause the following common adverse effects: breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps, headaches, weight gain, hyperpigmentation of the skin, hair loss, vaginal itching, abnormal uterine bleeding, also known as breakthrough bleeding, and anaphylaxis.

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Will my body change if I take estrogen?

The first changes you will probably notice are that your skin will become a bit drier and thinner. Your pores will become smaller and there will be less oil production. You may become more prone to bruising or cuts and in the first few weeks you'll notice that the odors of your sweat and urine will change.

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Who should not use estrogen?

tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a blood disorder such as protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, or an antithrombin deficiency that may increase your risk of developing abnormal blood clots. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use estrogen vaginal products.

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Who should not take estrogen pills?

Who should not take Estradiol?
  • uterine fibroids.
  • breast cancer.
  • family history of breast cancer.
  • cancer of the ovary.
  • cancer in the lining of the uterus.
  • tumor that is dependent on estrogen for growth.
  • a condition with low thyroid hormone levels.
  • low levels of parathyroid hormone.

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How can I increase my estrogen naturally?

Nuts and Seeds, including almonds, flaxseeds, peanuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds. Soy and soy products, such as soybeans, tofu, miso soup, miso paste. Vegetables, particularly broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, onions, spinach, sprouts.

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At what age should a woman stop taking estrogen?

And how do you go about it? If you are healthy, most experts agree that HRT is safe to use at the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time needed. If you're 59 or older, or have been on hormones for 5 years, you should talk to your doctor about quitting.

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How do I know if I need estrogen or progesterone?

Estrogen can reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. If you have a uterus, you'll likely need to take progesterone along with the estrogen. Estrogen without progesterone increases the risk of uterine cancer.

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What are the positive effects of estrogen?

Estrogen therapy is used to treat:
  • Vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. Hot flashes. ...
  • Osteoporosis. Prevent bone loss. ...
  • Genitourinary symptoms. Vulvar burning or itching. ...
  • Estrogen deficiency caused by hypogonadism.
  • Premature surgical menopause.
  • Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)

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Are there any risks of taking estrogen?

Stroke, blood clots, and heart attack.

Women who took either combined hormone therapy or estrogen alone had an increased risk of stroke, blood clots, and heart attack (1, 2). For women in both groups, however, this risk returned to normal levels after they stopped taking the medication (3, 4).

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What are the health risks of taking estrogen?

The main side effects of taking oestrogen include:
  • bloating.
  • breast tenderness or swelling.
  • swelling in other parts of the body.
  • feeling sick.
  • leg cramps.
  • headaches.
  • indigestion.
  • vaginal bleeding.

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Does vitamin D increase estrogen?

A Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study involving postmenopausal, overweight, and obese women who took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily for a year found that those whose vitamin D blood levels increased the most had the greatest reductions in blood estrogens, which are a known risk factor for breast cancer.

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What foods are high in estrogen?

5 foods high in estrogen
  • Red wine. Consuming phytoestrogen-rich foods and drinks like red wine in moderation (up to 5 ounces/148 milliliters a day for women of all ages) has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. ...
  • 2. Fruits (fresh and dry) ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Flax seeds. ...
  • Soy.

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Will low estrogen cause weight gain?

For women, a specific estrogen hormone called estradiol decreases at menopause helps regulate metabolism and body weight. The lower the levels of estradiol may cause weight gain. Throughout a woman's life, they may notice weight gain around their hips and thighs.

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Does estrogen increase belly fat?

Many women also notice an increase in belly fat as they get older — even if they aren't gaining weight. This is likely due to a decreasing level of estrogen, which appears to influence where fat is distributed in the body.

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How do I get rid of my hormonal belly?

A combination of diet and exercise may help symptoms. A person can perform exercises that burn fat, such as running, walking, and other aerobic activity. Reducing the calories a person consumes can also help.

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Why does estrogen cause belly fat?

“Women also become more estrogen-dominant as we move into perimenopause and beyond. Estrogen dominance promotes insulin resistance, which causes the belly fat build-up,” she says.

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