Estrogen deficiency occurs when the body does not produce adequate amounts of the hormone estrogen during perimenopause and menopause. Estrogen is essential for regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting overall health in women.
Some key signs and symptoms of estrogen deficiency include:
- Irregular periods - Periods may become lighter, heavier, or more erratic as estrogen levels fluctuate and decline. Many women experience skipped periods or go months without a period.
- Hot flashes - Sudden feelings of warmth spreading through the upper body, sometimes with sweating and reddened skin. Hot flashes result from changing estrogen levels.
- Vaginal dryness - Declining estrogen can cause the vaginal lining to become thin, lose elasticity, and produce less lubricating fluid. This can make intercourse painful.
- Mood changes - Some women report mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression along with hormonal shifts.
- Sleep disturbances - Night sweats and insomnia are common with hormonal changes.
- Bone loss - With less estrogen, bone density decreases more rapidly during and after menopause. This raises osteoporosis risk.
Treatment options exist to help manage challenging symptoms and health risks associated with estrogen loss. These may include lifestyle measures like staying active, eating well, and managing stress. For moderate to severe symptoms,
hormone therapy with estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone may provide relief.
The experts at
Vitality Hormone Clinic specialize in customized
bioidentical hormone therapy to help women achieve hormonal balance during perimenopause and beyond. I encourage women dealing with disruptive
menopause symptoms to explore integrative treatment approaches tailored to their unique needs. With professional medical guidance, many can find the right combination of lifestyle changes and
hormone replacement to thrive through this transition.
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