Estrogen: Normal Levels of Testosterone and Estrogen in Women

You might be surprised to learn that testosterone isn’t just for men. While testosterone is typically associated with male hormones known as androgens, women also naturally produce this hormone. In women, both testosterone and estrogen are produced by the ovaries, with smaller amounts coming from the adrenal glands. Additionally, estrogen is also produced by fat tissue in the body. These hormones play crucial roles in the development, maintenance, and repair of reproductive tissues, as well as influencing other bodily tissues and bone density.

Hormones:

Hormones act as chemical messengers in the body, traveling through the bloodstream to affect various tissues. They fluctuate throughout the day, with estrogen and testosterone being released in pulses that can vary from hour to hour and change during different stages of the menstrual cycle.

Estrogen:

Estrogen is a group of hormones that includes estriol, estradiol, and estrone. Estriol is primarily produced during pregnancy by the placenta, while estradiol, the main sex hormone in women of childbearing age, is produced by developing ovarian follicles. Estradiol is crucial for female characteristics, sexual function, and bone health. Estrone, on the other hand, is found throughout the body and becomes the predominant estrogen after menopause. It plays a role in various gynecological issues and overall female health.

Estrogen decreasing Factor

Estrogen levels can decrease due to various factors, such as:

1. Hypogonadism: a condition where the ovaries or testes produce little or no sex hormones.
2. Hypopituitarism: a disorder of the pituitary gland that can affect hormone production.
3. Pregnancy failure: specifically, a decrease in estriol levels.
4. Perimenopause and menopause: a natural decline in estradiol levels as women age.
5. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges.
6. Anorexia nervosa: an eating disorder characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.
7. Extreme exercise or training: can lead to decreased estrogen production.
8. Certain medications: such as clomiphene, block estrogen receptors.

What factors contribute to decreased estrogen levels among athletes?

Athletes, models, gymnasts, and individuals with eating disorders are at risk for low estrogen levels due to their low body fat percentage. This can lead to amenorrhea (cessation of menstruation) and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Does the concentration of estrogen decrease during menopause?

Yes, estrogen levels fall during menopause, a natural transition usually occurring between ages 40 and 55. Surgical menopause, resulting from the removal of ovaries, can cause an abrupt decline in estrogen levels.

Perimenopause, the transition period before menopause, marks the beginning of estrogen decline and is accompanied by symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. Menopause symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, mood swings, and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis.

What causes an increase in estrogen levels?

Estrogen levels typically rise during puberty, fueling the physical changes in a young girl’s body like breast development, a more defined figure, and the growth of pubic and underarm hair. Additionally, women who are significantly overweight may have elevated estrogen levels. During a healthy pregnancy, estrogen levels increase to support fetal growth, and tumors of the ovaries, testes, or adrenal glands can also lead to higher estrogen levels.

Certain medications, including steroids, ampicillin, estrogen-containing drugs, phenothiazines, and tetracyclines, can also contribute to elevated estrogen levels.

The effects of fluctuations in testosterone levels

When testosterone levels fluctuate, it can have various effects on the body. Excessive testosterone production can result in irregular or absent menstrual periods, increased body hair, frontal balding, acne, an enlarged clitoris, increased muscle mass, and a deepening voice. High testosterone levels are commonly observed in conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can also lead to infertility and other symptoms such as obesity, excess or thinning hair, acne, and menstrual irregularities.

PCOS is associated with several risk factors including insulin resistance, carbohydrate intolerance, low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, obesity, and high blood pressure. As women with PCOS age, these risk factors increase their susceptibility to heart disease.

Testosterone levels in women typically decline from their 20s through menopause, which can impact libido. Some research suggests that testosterone replacement therapy may improve sexual function in certain perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, but caution is advised, particularly in women with a history of breast or uterine cancer, as testosterone therapy may increase the risk of cardiovascular or liver disease. Therefore, expert recommendations regarding testosterone replacement therapy in women are made with caution.

Determining whether my hormone levels are excessive or deficient.

Detecting whether your hormone levels are out of balance involves a few steps. Your doctor will start with a physical examination and discussion of your symptoms and overall health. Based on this evaluation, they may decide to conduct further tests to specifically check your hormone levels. This step becomes crucial especially if you’re dealing with conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or if your menstrual cycle has halted due to factors like intense athletic training or anorexia nervosa.

The tests your doctor might recommend will analyze the levels of various hormones in your body. If these tests reveal any abnormal hormone levels, it could indicate an imbalance that needs attention. Fortunately, identifying these imbalances allows for effective treatment strategies to be prescribed by your doctor.

Sources:

• MedicineNet.com: ”Women’s Health: Female Hormones.”
• MedicineNet.com: ”Estrogen levels in blood predict breast cancer’s return.”
• Lab Tests Online: ”Estrogen.”