Why do physicians focus on Estrogen?

Estrogen is an important hormone yet it isn't the only hormone that decreases as we age. Thyroid hormones, growth hormones, DHEA, and testosterone all decline with age.

However, research has determined that estrogen affects other areas of the body not just the reproductive areas. Estrogen plays an important role in the production and maintenance of bone and it has demonstrated a protective role in heart health. It also has a positive influence on behavior and moods.

The metabolism of estrogen within the body is a complex subject. The simplified version is that it starts with cholesterol (see, cholesterol is important). Most of the cholesterol in your body is actually produced in your liver. Having a clean, well functioning liver is a good place to start for proper metabolism of estrogen and general good health because your liver is the clearing house for toxins (this doesn't mean you go out and do a liver cleanse. That's a whole other topic).

Estrogen metabolism is also dependent on other factors such as proper cellular levels of vitamins E and folic acid. There is also another subset of estrogen known as Phytoestrogens which are natural hormones found in plants that have a somewhat similar action to those of human estrogen. These are found in significant levels in soy and flaxseed. They have been known to reduce the symptoms of low estrogen without increasing the risk of certain cancers. Because of the risk factors involved in increasing estrogen or taking hormone replacement therapy, it is important that you spend time discussing your choices with your health care professional. As always, my reminder to you is to NOT self-diagnose and/or self-prescribe.

What are hormones?

The medical dictionary describes hormones as a chemical substance produced in the body which has a specific effect on the activity of a certain organ or organs. In other words, hormones can effect change in organs.

There are three major hormones that are produced by the ovaries. They are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Each of these hormones feeds back to the brain in a feedback loop and can affect the emotions as well as the organs.

Testosterone is considered a male hormone but is still present in smaller amounts in women. It helps maintain sexual desire. It also helps reduce fat and builds and maintains muscle mass. Symptoms of low or deficient testosterone are: Weight gain, an increase in belly fat, muscle loss, fatigue, depression, loss of sexual desire, loss of shine in the hair, dryness of the skin and hair, lack of mental clarity and urinary incontinence.

Progesterone is mostly associated with PMS symptoms. It's mostly responsible for muscle relaxation and emotional control.

Estrogen deficiency comes with menopause. The symptoms include: weight gain, belly fat, hot flashes or flushes, dry skin, depression, dryness of the vagina and skin, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, heart disease, and osteoporosis.

Please note that I have not yet covered the symtoms for the excess of these hormones. The symptoms for excess and deficiency are so similar that diagnosis can be tricky - please see your health care practitioner for an accurate diagnosis. This is NOT the time to self-diagnose or self-prescribe based on a list of symtoms. We have several ways of determining which supplements are appropriate for you to take. Most often a lab test is needed. Balancing these three hormones is a great place to start on the path to feeling better.