Reviewed By Blake Gilliam, CRNP
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Estrogen levels change over time, especially during perimenopause and menopause. As levels decline, many women notice changes in sleep, mood, energy, and physical comfort that were not present before. These shifts are often subtle at first but can become more noticeable as estrogen continues to drop.
Table of Contents
Physical Symptoms of Low Estrogen
A drop in estrogen creates noticeable changes throughout the body. These are some of the most common physical symptoms women report.
- Hot flashes and night sweats: Sudden waves of heat, flushed skin, and nighttime sweating that disrupt sleep.
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort: Reduced natural lubrication, itching, or discomfort with intercourse due to thinning vaginal tissue.
- Irregular or absent periods: Cycles may become unpredictable, lighter, heavier, or stop as estrogen declines.
- Sleep disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, frequent waking, or poor sleep quality.
- Skin and hair changes: Thinner, drier skin and increased hair shedding.
Cognitive and Emotional Symptoms
Estrogen interacts with brain receptors involved in mood stability, memory, and stress responses. When levels drop, cognitive and emotional changes often follow.
- Mood swings and irritability: Noticeable changes in mood or increased irritability compared to your baseline.
- Anxiety or a constant sense of unease: Ongoing feelings of anxiety or nervousness that may appear or worsen as estrogen declines.
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating: Trouble focusing, processing information, or staying mentally sharp.
- Short-term memory lapses: Difficulty recalling recent conversations, names, or everyday details.
Additional Effects of Low Estrogen
Low estrogen can also affect areas of health that may not cause immediate discomfort but can change how the body functions over time.
- Bone density changes: Gradual bone loss that often develops without obvious symptoms early on.
- Cardiovascular changes: Shifts in cholesterol balance and blood vessel function associated with declining estrogen levels.
- Metabolic changes: Increased abdominal weight, changes in appetite, or altered blood sugar regulation.
- Lower energy levels: Ongoing fatigue that is not fully explained by sleep or activity level.
- Changes in sexual health: Reduced desire, vaginal discomfort, or changes in arousal.
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and the type and intensity can change over time.
Treatment for Low Estrogen
Treatment for low estrogen is individualized and guided by symptoms, hormone levels, and overall health. Care may include hormone therapy to restore hormone levels, along with lifestyle adjustments and targeted supplementation to support hormone balance. Lab testing and clinical evaluation help determine which options are appropriate and how treatment should be tailored over time.
Hormone Testing in Madison, AL
If you are concerned about low estrogen, hormone testing can provide clear answers. Schedule a consultation at Madison Integrative Medicine to evaluate your hormone levels and discuss next steps.
To schedule hormone therapy consultation at our wellness center in Madison, AL, call (256) 325-0955 or visit us at 1230 Slaughter Rd Suite C, Madison, AL.
FAQs
What vitamin helps restore estrogen?
Vitamin B6 and vitamin D support hormone regulation, and certain phytoestrogen-rich nutrients can support healthy estrogen activity. These should be used under guidance to match your hormonal needs.
What is the fastest way to increase estrogen?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy provides the most direct and predictable increase in estrogen levels because dosing is tailored to your lab results and symptoms.
Can low estrogen cause anxiety?
Estrogen influences neurotransmitters that regulate mood and stress responses, so a drop in estrogen can trigger anxiety or heighten existing anxiety symptoms.
