Don’t wait until you have hot flashes, or your period to stop before you consider hormones as a cause of your symptoms. Women start to experience health problems when estrogen gets below 500 pg/mL. For many this happens after the age of 40, but plenty experience a significant drop in hormones in their 30s, especially progesterone. Let’s talk about some of the not so-well-known symptoms that occur when levels get too low.
- Increase in body odor: low estrogen and progesterone can lead to dry skin. Dry skin can harbor more bacteria, which can lead to more body odor. The vaginal ecosystem, or microbiome is altered when estrogen is low, which affects the vaginal pH and lubrication. Unwanted bacteria is more likely to grow that causes an unpleasant vaginal odor as well.
- Muscle aches, and joint pain: Estrogen and progesterone are anti-inflammatory and help build collagen and bone. When low it can lead to joint stiffness, discomfort, osteoporosis, muscle strain, soreness and general discomfort. Estrogen also influences pain perception — when its low, women have an increased sensitivity to pain.
- Digestive Problems: Constipation, indigestion (aka heartburn), bloating, cramping and gas can all be attributed to low estrogen and progesterone. This can also feel like weight gain. When women start estrogen and progesterone therapy they typically see these resolve over time.
- Frequent Urination and bladder leakage: Estrogen and progesterone are needed to maintain the strength and integrity of the tissues, muscles, ligaments, collagen of the pelvic are as well as the bladder and lining of the urethra. When low, it can cause frequent trips to the restroom, or accidents when sneezing or laughing.
- Headaches or migraines: Estrogen regulates blood vessel dilation and constriction. When its low, there are changes in blood vessel function including dilation which can cause a headache, or even a migraine. Low hormones also lead to poor sleep and higher stress, which can contribute to more frequent headaches.
- Dizziness: Estrogen and progesterone are needed to maintain blood pressure, circulation and regulate blood flow — even to the brain. If low hormones the brain can get less blood flow, which lead to dizzy spells. Also, shifts in body temperature, changes in vision and inner ear disturbances that can happen when hormones are low also lead to dizziness and vertigo.
- Increase in Allergic Reactions: Histamine causes allergies, hives and rashes and it is made by mast cells. Mast cells are regulated by estrogen and progesterone — when these hormones are low, mast cells are more likely to make and release more histamine causing allergies, or urticaria.
- Skin sensitivity or rashes: Estrogen keeps the skin hydrated by stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid. Progesterone helps keep the immune system in check. When they are both low, the skin is more prone to sensitivity to perfumes, soaps, lotions, and detergents. Women will experience contact dermatitis, or eczema when they never have before.
- Thin and brittle fingernails: Iron is an essential nutrient that is necessary for proper nail growth and maintenance. Women easily become deficient in iron when estrogen levels decrease because it is needed for the body to absorb iron from the diet.
- Heart palpitations: Estrogen helps regulate heart rate and rhythm, so when it is low, some women experience racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat. Heart palpitations sometimes precede hot flashes, but not always.
How Can Inner Balance Help?
It may seem like all of the symptoms above are unrelated. However, hormones control or are involved in nearly every process in the body. Nearly every organ has hormone receptors. Hormones are vital to good health and vitality. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a very safe and effective way to replenish missing hormones that you are no longer making.
Now is the time to be proactive — you are in control of your health and future. Not only can it help you feel great, but give you peace of mind knowing you are potentially preventing disease. At Inner Balance, you will make a decision to start HRT with your Inner Balance physician who are all licensed and board-certified. Using our secure platform, you can connect with your physician to ask questions. The providers and customer support are with you every step of the way.
We believe that a woman has a right to be in control of her own hormone journey -– and we are there every step of the way.
“This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.”