Estrogen interaction and balance
Estrogen is, together with progesterone, one of women's two main sex hormones. These hormones work in concert to maintain a balance in the body, affecting everything from our reproductive capacity and bone strength to our mood and metabolism. Estrogen has a variety of functions in the body, such as helping to regulate the menstrual cycle, promoting the development of our female features (for example, breast development). It also affects other body systems, including the skeleton, brain, cardiovascular system and immune system. All three main sex hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, play a role in sex drive. Higher levels of estrogen can increase sex drive and make it easier to get wet, while high levels of progesterone can decrease sex drive.
Estrogens and life stages
Estrogen levels vary throughout life, and these changes can affect women's health in different ways. Some of the most significant changes in estrogen levels occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Below we quickly go through each phase;
Puberty
During puberty, the production of several hormones increases, including estrogen and progesterone. These hormones influence a number of physiological changes, such as breast development, increased body height, increased body hair growth, and widening of the hips. In addition, the menstrual cycle starts during puberty due to increased hormone levels.
The menopause
Menopause is a natural part of aging for women and involves a decrease in estrogen levels. This can lead to a range of symptoms, such as hot flashes, irregular periods, difficulty sleeping, mood swings and dry mucous membranes. After menopause, women have lower levels of estrogen, which can affect sex drive and increase the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Estrogen affects your fertility
Estrogen is of great importance to women's fertility, as it affects the development and function of the reproductive system. Estrogen levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, affecting ovulation and the possibility of pregnancy. Among other things, estrogen affects the formation of the mucous membrane in the uterus and prepares it to be able to receive a fertilized egg. Too low or too high levels of estrogen can affect women's fertility. This can be due to factors such as age, weight, stress and medical conditions. In women who have difficulty conceiving, testing for estrogen and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) can help assess ovarian activity and give an indication of when menopause and menopause are approaching.
Estrogen levels increase during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the levels of estrogen and progesterone increase sharply to support the development of the fetus and prepare the woman's body for childbirth. When a pregnancy starts, the placenta begins to form and in connection with that, there are like fireworks of hormones in the body. Progesterone, relaxin and human chorionic gonadotropin ensure that the pregnancy proceeds as it should. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also lead to a range of different symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue and changes in mood.
This is how you can influence your estrogen levels
Changes in estrogen levels can affect women's mood, energy levels and general well-being. There are several ways to manage these changes and support health during different life stages.
- Diet and exercise: A healthy diet and regular exercise are important factors in supporting hormonal balance and women's health. A balanced diet rich in nutrients and low in processed foods can help regulate estrogen levels and support fertility, pregnancy and menopause.
- Stress management: Stress can affect hormone balance and women's health in several ways. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation and breathing exercises, can help regulate estrogen levels and support well-being at different life stages.
- Hormonal therapy: For women who experience discomfort due to changes in estrogen levels, such as during menopause, hormone therapy may be an option. Hormone therapy can help balance hormone levels and relieve symptoms such as sweating, mood swings and trouble sleeping. It is important to discuss any hormone therapy with a doctor to determine if it is appropriate and safe for the individual woman.
