How to increase estrogen in females
January 13, 2023
What is an Oestrogen?
An essential sex hormone for maintaining sexual and reproductive health is oestrogen. Your normal cycle of menstruation and menopause cause changes in your oestrogen levels. Oestrogen levels that are consistently high or low can indicate a problem that has to be addressed by your doctor.
One of the two sex hormones that are frequently linked to cisgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary people with vaginal organs is oestrogen. Oestrogen, along with progesterone, is essential for the health of your reproductive system. In addition, Oestrogen has a role in developing secondary sex characteristics (such as breasts, hips, etc.), menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Additionally, oestrogen is crucial to various bodily processes. Because of this, while AFAB people produce the most oestrogen, both genders do as well.
Types of Oestrogen
Oestrogen comes in three primary forms:
- The main form of oestrogen your body produces after menopause is estrogen (E1).
- During your reproductive years, the main type of oestrogen in your body is estradiol (E2). It is the most vital Oestrogenic type.
- During pregnancy, the primary type of oestrogen is estriol (E3).
Where is oestrogen located in the body?
During your reproductive years, your ovaries produce the majority of your oestrogen. In addition, adipose tissue (body fat) and your adrenal glands, located on your kidneys, secrete oestrogen. During pregnancy, the placenta, which is the organ that permits the sharing of nutrients between the mother and the foetus, secretes oestrogen.
Once oestrogen is released, it moves via your bloodstream to the area of your body that needs to be activated. There, oestrogen interacts with an oestrogen receptor protein to initiate the process. Your entire body contains oestrogen receptors.
What is the normal level of Oestrogen?
Oestrogen levels fluctuate during a lifetime. The variation is typical. For instance, it is typical for oestrogen levels to increase during adolescence and decrease as menopause approaches. Oestrogen levels often increase during ovulation so your body can prepare for pregnancy. When pregnancy alterations are unnecessary, it’s typical for levels to drop throughout your period.
Consistently low or high levels could indicate an underlying problem that needs your doctor’s attention.
What occurs when oestrogen levels remain low over time?
Low oestrogen levels are frequently a warning sign that menopause is just around the corner. Low oestrogen may also be a symptom of Turner syndrome, infertility issues, nutritional deficiencies, etc.
Some signs could be:
- Breast tenderness
- Brittle or weak bones
- Sweating at night and hot flashes
- No periods or irregular periods
- Headaches and difficulty focusing
- Fatigue, sleepiness, and sleep disturbances
- Sadness, impatience, and mood swings
- The dryness of the cervix causes painful intercourse
What results from persistently high oestrogen levels?
Numerous problems, including polyps, fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis discomfort, ovarian tumours, etc., might be linked to excess oestrogen in the body. Your levels could be elevated due to having too much oestrogen compared to progesterone, the second sex hormone. You can end up with too much oestrogen in your body due to the medications that contain it.
Some signs could be:
- Reduced sex drive
- Gaining weight, especially around the waist and hips.
- Irregular menstrual cycles (unpredictable timing, light or heavy bleeding).
- PMS or PMDD symptoms that are getting worse.
Why do you need oestrogen?
Estrogen’s primary role in the female reproductive system is to regulate these changes, but it also plays additional roles in the male and female reproductive systems, such as:
- Blood vessel and heart support
- Bone strength
- Mood control and brain defence
- Numerous factors can affect how much oestrogen we produce. Some people may need treatments like hormone replacement therapy to manage these consequences.
The natural actions of oestrogen may be supported by phytoestrogens found in the diet.
The top 7 foods for increasing oestrogen levels
Phytoestrogens, often known as dietary oestrogen, are naturally occurring plant substances that share estrogen’s chemical makeup. They assist your body in adapting to an oestrogen deficit by hormonally simulating the effects of oestrogen. Many foods high in phytoestrogen and oestrogen can support keeping your body’s required levels of this naturally occurring hormone stable. Here are a few of the most potent.
- Flax SeedsFlax seeds, tiny, brown or golden seeds with several proven health advantages, are among the top foods high in oestrogen. These seeds are a great source of lignans, a class of chemicals that act as phytoestrogens and aid in oestrogen metabolism. According to research, flax seeds contain phytoestrogens that may help lower breast cancer risk, particularly in postmenopausal women.
- Soybeans Soybeans are rich in many vitamins, minerals, and proteins and are one of the best foods for boosting oestrogen. In addition, they contain a lot of isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogens associated with several health advantages. You can enhance your body’s oestrogen levels by consuming soy products, including tofu, edamame, tempeh, soy yoghurt, and soymilk. A higher soy intake is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer-related death, per a study.
- Dry FruitsAnother highly effective source of oestrogen is dried fruit, which is also a tasty and convenient snack option. It also contains a tonne of vital minerals. They are a great source of several phytoestrogens and are also incredibly high in fibre. Compared to their fresh counterparts, these fruits—including prunes, dates, and dried apricots—have substantially higher concentrations of phytoestrogens.
- GarlicGarlic is one of the top foods on the list that make women’s oestrogen levels. It is well known for its culinary value and several possible health advantages. According to a study, postmenopausal women taking garlic oil supplements are protected against bone loss from low oestrogen levels. In addition, garlic, which is rich in isoflavonoids, lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, prevents clotting, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
- PeachPeaches, popular for their delectably sweet flavour, are another of the top foods high in lignans, phytoestrogen, and other vital vitamins and minerals. According to studies, eating just two servings of peaches per week lowers the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women due to their high lignan content.
- Nuts One of the best meals for raising oestrogen levels in the body is nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts, cashews, almonds, and pistachios. They provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals as well, providing a variety of health advantages. In addition, they are simple to incorporate into your diet. However, due to the high quantity of calories and fats, they contain.
- Sesame seedsSesame seeds are rich in phytoestrogens and a number of other essential minerals, making them one of the top foods that boost oestrogen. These tiny, fibre-rich seeds can be added to practically any dish and support healthy cholesterol levels. A postmenopausal women’s study found that regular ingestion of sesame seed powder can raise oestrogen levels and lower blood cholesterol.
What doctor checks oestrogen levels?
Endocrinologists
An expert with advanced training in endocrinology, or studying your body’s hormones, is known as an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists identify, treat, and manage numerous disorders that impact your endocrine system.