Symptoms of Low Estrogen in Women

Estrogen affects far more than your cycle. It helps regulate body temperature, sleep, mood, skin, bone, the vaginal and urinary tissues and more. When it drops, the effects can show up all over the body.

Common symptoms of low estrogen

Hot flashes and night sweats
Irregular or missed periods
Vaginal dryness and painful sex
Trouble sleeping
Mood changes, anxiety or low mood
Brain fog
Dry skin and thinning hair
Joint aches
More frequent urinary tract infections
Bone loss over time

What causes low estrogen?

The most common cause is perimenopause and menopause. Others include surgical removal of the ovaries, very low body weight or intense exercise, breastfeeding, primary ovarian insufficiency and some medications.

How is it tested?

A blood test can measure estradiol and related hormones. During perimenopause, levels swing from day to day, so symptoms and history matter as much as a single number. We also check thyroid function, since thyroid problems can look similar.

Treatment

When low estrogen is the cause, hormone replacement therapy for women can replace what is missing, using bioidentical estradiol as patches, creams, pills or EvexiPEL hormone pellets. Women with a uterus also need progesterone.

Have questions about your hormones or weight? Julie Bernell, MD, sees women and men from Kingwood, The Woodlands and the Lake Houston area at our New Caney office. Call 281-319-4111 or request an appointment.

This article is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice.