Common symptoms of low estrogen include: painful sex due to a lack of vaginal lubrication. an increase in urinary tract infection (UTIs) due to a thinning of the urethra. irregular or absent periods.
Phytoestrogens are natural chemicals in plant foods that have a mild estrogen-boosting effect. Isoflavones are the major class of phytoestrogens, found in soybeans and soy products, nuts and seeds (such as sesame seeds and flax seeds), and chickpeas and other legumes.
Foods that reportedly increase estrogen include flax seeds, soybean products, chocolate, fruit, nuts, chickpeas, and legumes. Before we delve into why these foods are said to increase estrogen, we need to look at two important definitions; phytoestrogens and lignans.
What medications treat low estrogen? Hormone replacement therapy (HT) is a common treatment for low estrogen, especially during menopause and postmenopause. With HT, you take synthetic forms of estrogen and/or the hormone progesterone to boost your levels.
Bioidentical or "natural" hormones
Bioidentical hormones are hormone preparations made from plant sources that are promoted as being similar or identical to human hormones. Practitioners claim these hormones are a "natural" and safer alternative to standard HRT medicines.
The most widely cited natural remedy is soy, which is very high in phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. Other sources are red clover and flaxseed, both of which are available as supplements.
Functional foods, vitamins and minerals, and herbal supplements are all natural ways to boost estrogen in the body. If natural methods aren't enough to boost your estrogen levels, visit your doctor to discuss other treatment options, such as hormone replacement therapy.
Yes, you can buy OTC estrogen creams without a prescription from your healthcare provider. However, you shouldn't try to substitute OTC estrogen creams for prescription estrogen products. If you're looking for vaginal estrogen creams for vaginal dryness, these aren't available for OTC purchase.
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.
Blood tests – At-home estrogen blood tests are quick and easy. You just need to prick your finger and collect a small blood sample in a vial. After that, you can send your sample to a lab for testing. Urine tests – Estrogen tests that use urine take a little longer to administer.
Tea and coffee. Studies show both tea and coffee are a source of phytoestrogens. “Since tea and coffee are popular beverages worldwide, they may be one of the leading dietary sources of plant estrogen compounds,” Klamer states.
Fortunately, estrogen supplements are now available over the counter. These medications contain either lower doses of naturally-occurring estrogen or other compounds that prompt the body to produce more. Nature's Way Dim-Plus Supplement is a bioidentical form of estrogen that can help relieve the symptoms of menopause.
Tomatoes, kiwi, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, peaches, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, corn and cauliflower all boast great levels of vitamin C and they possess the phytoestrogen power you might be looking for to boost your estrogen.
Postmenopausal women are able to buy vaginal estrogen over the counter for the first time in the UK from September 2022. Women will be able to purchase Gina vaginal tablets from pharmacies without a prescription after the medicines regulator gave it the green light.
Soybeans. Soybeans, otherwise known as edamame, are known to be one of the best sources of phytoestrogens and therefore are one of the most effective estrogen boosting foods available. Edamame makes an excellent snack and is a convenient and delicious way to eat estrogen rich food.
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.
Vitamins B2 and B6, in particular, are associated with healthy estrogen levels. In a recent study, for example, researchers tracked levels of B vitamins to the risk of breast cancer in menopausal women.
Blood tests – At-home estrogen blood tests are quick and easy. You just need to prick your finger and collect a small blood sample in a vial. After that, you can send your sample to a lab for testing. Urine tests – Estrogen tests that use urine take a little longer to administer.