Estrogen Supplements

Both men and women can experience changes in the amount of estrogen in their bodies over the course of their lives. Though some of us may have learned that estrogen is a “female” hormone, it is present in all humans and plays an important role in many body functions.

Summit Women’s Health offers estrogen supplements to anyone experiencing symptoms of estrogen deficiency. 

What are the symptoms of estrogen deficiency?

Some symptoms that may indicate you are experiencing estrogen deficiency include:

• Decreased sex drive

• Weak bones

• Vaginal dryness

• Pain during sex

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Dry skin

• Mood swings

• Fatigue

• Difficulty concentrating or irritability

• Irregular menstruation

• Missing periods

• Tender breasts

• Weight gain, especially around the stomach area

• Headaches during or before menstruation

For many of these symptoms, context is key: If you are a woman in the middle of your reproductive years and missing several periods, the cause may be something other than a change in estrogen. If you are near your 40s and starting to notice missed periods, this may be a more typical sign of menopause and estrogen decreasing.

If you are a man, the main symptoms of estrogen deficiency you’d see would be decreased sex drive, excess belly fat, and brittle bones.

Your doctor at Summit Women’s Health will look closely at your symptoms and personal medical history to determine whether supplements would be a good idea.

How do I take an estrogen supplement?

Estrogen supplements come in many forms, all of which have different pros and cons. Your doctor at Summit Women’s Health can talk you through which forms may be best for you based on your age, current health, and medical history.

Forms of estrogen supplements include:

• A pill, usually taken once per day without food

• A patch placed on the skin

• A pellet placed just underneath the skin

• Creams, gels, and sprays applied on top of the skin

• Vaginal rings and creams

Why are estrogen supplements used as a treatment for menopause?

Estrogen levels naturally drop during menopause and then stay lower than they were before. For many women in their 30s, 40s, and onwards, this can result in uncomfortable symptoms related to that decrease in estrogen.

What else causes a dip in estrogen?

Any procedure that affects the ovaries or uterus can also decrease estrogen in the body. If you have recently had an ovary removed or a hysterectomy, your doctor may recommend supplements to balance the estrogen no longer being produced by those organs. Similarly, radiation or chemotherapy affecting the uterus and ovaries can result in estrogen deficiency.

Problems with the pituitary gland can also cause a drop in estrogen. So can any extreme behaviors related to eating or exercise, such as eating disorders, extreme dieting, and extreme exercising. Finally, substance use disorders – such as alcoholism or drug use – can cause estrogen deficiency.

Are estrogen supplements right for everyone?

Hormone supplements do involve health risks. In particular, estrogen supplements that have a higher concentration of estrogen than the body naturally produces on its own have been linked to blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.

Additionally, if there is a history of breast cancer in your family, you may want to weigh the risks of estrogen supplements against the benefits you are hoping they will provide. Higher amounts of estrogen in the body can cause the breasts and uterine lining to produce cancerous cells.

As with all services at Summit Women’s Health, your doctor will work closely with you to gather information needed to make a safe choice for your health. To learn more about estrogen supplements or to book an appointment at Summit Women’s Health in Princeton, West Virginia with Brandon M. Lingenfelter, DO, PhD; Megan Lingenfelter, PA; Sam Snyder, DO; or Valeah Bradshaw, NP, call us at (681) 282-5591 or use our scheduling portal.