Do Men Need Estrogen?

Do Men Need Estrogen?

What is estrogen?

Estrogen is a hormone that is present in both men and women. In women, estrogen is produced by the ovaries and plays a key role in reproduction. In men, estrogen is produced in small amounts by the testicles and adrenal glands. Estradiol is the predominant form of estrogen in men (and should be included on each panel of blood drawn to determine the best treatment to make you feel better). Although estrogen in men is present in much smaller amounts than testosterone is, estrogen is still very important for many aspects of male health.

What happens if Estrogen levels are too low in men?

Estrogen helps to regulate mood, bone density, and cholesterol levels in men. It helps with libido, the development of healthy sperm (spermatogenesis) and erectile function. Low estrogen can lead to problems such as osteoporosis, depression/anxiety, and heart disease. Hypogonadism (inefficient production of hormones by the gonads) can lower levels of estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones, leading to many of the same symptoms of high estrogen levels.

I’ve heard more about high Estrogen levels being a bad thing…

While it is true that lower levels of estrogen are commonly accepted and are less likely to cause symptoms, when estrogen is elevated, many different things can happen. Common symptoms of high estrogen levels can include a reduced sex drive, feeling tired, losing hair all over your body, shrinking muscle mass and hot flashes. One of the most common signs that can be disturbing and cause some embarrassment or decrease in confidence is enlarged male breasts. This condition, known as gynecomastia, affects up to 40% of men. Other common signs of high estrogen include reduced sex drive, infertility and erectile dysfunction.

High levels of estrogen can also be seen in people with issues in their testosterone levels, affecting those with low, high and “normal” testosterone levels in their blood. (FYI, Gynecomastia can be seen with other medical conditions and does not always indicate an issue with estrogen in the body, so it is super important to follow with your physician.)

Is it necessary to address estrogen levels when evaluate men’s health?

Yes. An optimal male has balanced estrogen and testosterone levels. While it is commonly known that testosterone levels decrease with age, estrogen levels often increase with age (the opposite!).

If you are currently on some sort of Hormone Replacement Therapy and your estrogen levels aren’t being regularly checked and treated, it can work against the hormone replacement therapy you may be using which may make you feel less than optimal. At Misra Wellness we include estradiol levels with every panel we draw, because we know that sleep, lifestyle, diet, exercise, taking supplements and many other things may drastically influence hormone levels.

How do I decrease my estrogen levels?

If your estrogen level is too high and intervention is clinically necessary, it can be treated with lifestyle changes, certain supplements and medication. One of the most popular medications used is Anastrozole, an aromatase inhibiting enzyme which very simply prevents the formation of estrogen from androgen hormones like testosterone.

At Misra Wellness we like to approach men’s health and all hormones by treating when medically necessary and using holistic methods to help balance symptoms so you can approach each day with vigor and vitality.

Interested in finding out your estrogen levels? Feel free to book a consultation today!

https://misrawellness.com