It is often said that a woman’s health, i.e. psychological, physical, reproductive and sexual, is directly related to her hormone levels. Among women, the hormonal balance refers to two, primary hormones—progesterone and estrogen. It is vital for the balance between progesterone and estrogen levels to be maintained. A spike or dip in the estrogen levels can lead to serious health problems. For instance, menopause-related health problems are a direct result of lowered estrogen levels. A disturbance in estrogen levels can affect every aspect of a woman’s life including her ovulation, menstrual cycles, physical abilities and overall emotional well-being. To understand the effect of estrogen levels among women, read the following:

Low Estrogen Levels
Most symptoms of lowered estrogen are felt among women entering their 40s. After reaching the age of 40 years, a woman starts progressing towards menopause. This phase is synonymous with a severe fall in hormone levels, including estrogen and progesterone. Other circumstances that can induce lowered estrogen levels include chemotherapy and hysterectomy or the progression of an autoimmune disease. Lowered estrogen levels are the primary reason why perimenopause and menopausal women cannot conceive.

This is because in the absence of sufficient estrogen, ovulation and menstruation are compromised. There is a severe decline in the ability of such women to produce healthy, mature eggs that can undergo fertilization. Even if the egg is fertilized, with lowered estrogen and progesterone levels, establishing pregnancy is nearly impossible. Lowered estrogen levels cause thinning and shrinkage of the uterine and vaginal tissues. This makes sex painful and intercourse often becomes a physical and emotional trauma. The continuous thinning of the uterine-vaginal tissues makes the body more vulnerable to infections, particularly the urinary tract infections that are also a fertility-deterrent. Other symptoms of low estrogen include:

• Feeling of malaise or tiredness throughout the day
• Unregulated body temperature in the form of hot flashes and night-time sweating
• Loss of mental acuity such as the inability to comprehend simple instructions
• Pain in joints due to softening of bones
• Ease of fracturing due to weaker bones (osteoporosis)
• Dry skin leading to premature aging
• Lowered libido

High Estrogen Levels
High level of estrogen also poses many problems, particularly seen among women in their late 30s though the progression of such symptoms is often seen during the late 20s among some ladies. Very high estrogen levels are referred to as a condition of Estrogen Dominance. This is an unwanted state of hormonal imbalance where the balance between progesterone and estrogen is disturbed. With progesterone levels below the basic level, implantation of the fertilized egg is impossible and the ability of the woman to sustain a pregnancy is compromised.

This is why women with higher-than-normal estrogen levels are more prone to having miscarriages. High estrogen levels are a more serious threat to fertility than lower estrogen levels though this is more of a statistical conclusion. Higher estrogen levels make women more prone to gaining weight which further lowers their libido and makes them more vulnerable to cardiovascular problems. Some other Symptoms of high estrogen levels include:

• Tenderness or pain in the breasts
• Higher blood pressure
• Excessive facial hair
• Symptoms similar to PMS
• Unexplained headaches or migraines
• Extreme mood swings, ranging from extreme anxiety to anger and depression
• Loss or thinning of hair
• Severe abdominal bloating and cramping
• Higher vulnerability to developing uterine fibroids