Estrogen is the main hormone that differentiates women from men. Men have a smaller amount, while women have more. Having enough estrogen is important to stay healthy and feel good.
When this hormone is low, symptoms of irritability are common. Read on to find out what estrogen is, why we lose it, 10 symptoms of low estrogen, and what you can do to treat them.
What does estrogen do?
This hormone is responsible for many body functions. It supports metabolism, insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism and even body weight regulation.
Estrogen is necessary for sexual development during puberty, breast changes during puberty and pregnancy, cholesterol metabolism, and bone metabolism. It also helps the lining of the uterus grow as much as it needs during menstruation and in the early stages of pregnancy.
Why do we lose estrogen?
All estrogen is produced in the ovaries. This means that ovarian health is directly related to estrogen production. During menopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen than before. This decline is a natural part of life.
Then, when menopause begins, estrogen production stops. However, other factors can affect estrogen production, such as:
Kidney disease
Insufficient pituitary gland function
Loss of appetite
Exercising too much
Ovarian failure, ovarian cysts
Age
Turner syndrome