7 Tips on How to Tell if Your Estrogen Levels Are Imbalanced ...

By Heather

7 Tips on How to Tell if Your Estrogen Levels Are Imbalanced ...

Hormones are an area that all of us ladies are quite familiar with, and in my opinion, every one of you deserve the right to know how to tell if your estrogen levels are imbalanced, so you can remain your healthiest, happiest, most gorgeous self! Estrogen can seem like the devil at times, and other times, when we don’t have enough, it can be a saving grace. Estrogen is a confusing issue, especially when it comes to hormonal balance. We all know that estrogen is the female hormone, but what many women don’t know is that we have different types of estrogen in our bodies, and they all work differently. Some of them work for our benefit in higher amounts, while others can be detrimental in high amounts. Without getting various tests run from your OBGYN, there are some pretty fantastic ways your body speak to you on how to tell if your estrogen levels are imbalanced. Read on to find out the typical symptoms, and what you can do to give your body the balance it wants and deserves.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

1

Your Period is MIA

One of the most prevalent ways on how to tell if your estrogen levels are imbalanced is if your period goes missing in action. On the other hand, if your menstrual cycle is heavier than usual, this can also be a red flag that your estrogen levels are imbalanced. When the female body isn’t producing enough estrogen, your period can stop or be inconsistent. If you notice you’ve been without a period for at least a consecutive two months, or if your periods are becoming heavier, see a doctor immediately.

2

You’re Depressed

If you’re feeling blue on a consecutive basis, chances are you’re super low in the mood-boosting hormone known as progesterone. Progesterone is the type of estrogen most responsible for a healthy mood, heightened libido, and a sense of well being. This is why during PMS, we often experience crying spells, or during menopause, we also experience the “weepies” as I like to call them, more often. Everything can seem so dramatic and we’re constantly on the verge of tears. When this happens and your period isn't normal, or you have regular depression, you should see a doctor to find out what you can do to correct the issue(s). More than likely, you're low in estrogen and things can be corrected fairly quickly through the right changes.

3

You’re Overly Anxious All the Time

If you feel like your nerves are constantly on edge and you’re always anxious, it could be estrogen related, though not necessarily. Sometimes, when estrogen levels are too high, we can suffer from estrogen dominance, which can result in edginess, anxiety, moodiness and even periods of extreme fatigue. Yet, this can also happen if we're dangerously low in estrogen too, which can make it one reason it is hard to self-diagnose.

4

You’re Not Sleeping Well

If you find yourself tossing and turning, then chances are, it’s hormonal. As the body loses estrogen towards the stages of menopause, it can decrease in the sleep hormone, melatonin. Melatonin is crucial for regulating your sleep levels, how easily you fall asleep, and how easily you wake up. It also changes the way your body sleeps throughout the night. Sufficient levels can help your body stay asleep and enter a deep sleep, known as REM sleep, while low melatonin levels will have you peeking at the clock all night to see what time it is. Don’t miss out on precious shut-eye! Your weight, mood, hormones and brain need good sleep to function at their peak level. As a bonus, that pillow time is precious to anti-aging as well ladies!

5

Your Skin is Acting up

During my early twenties, my skin was flawless, but when I entered menopause at a very early age, my skin looked like it did when I hit puberty in my teens! It was horrifying and I wasn’t able to understand how my glowing skin turned into acne eruptions within a year, until I found out it was my hormones. When estrogen levels take a big nose dive, it can result in an overproduction of testosterone, which triggers acne. It can also trigger symptoms of PCOS, which is also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, to which the ovaries are not producing estrogen efficiently, and testosterone has taken over. This can also result in weight gain, facial hair growth, and acne. If you’re unsure if you’re going through menopause, or premenopause, see your doctor to get your hormone levels tested.

Famous Quotes

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

Niccolò Machiavelli
6

Your Appetite is up and down

If your appetite is raging or null and void, then it coould be hormone related. Many times, a lack of appetite also comes along with depression and anxiety. This is usually due to a drop in estrogen levels, while an increase in appetite, almost to the point of being annoying, can be a sign that your estrogen levels have increased. For many women, taking birth control can lead to increased appetite, since they raise estrogen levels. Birth control can also give you better skin and even weight gain too, as a result from higher estrogen levels. Though estrogen levels help to get rid of acne and help with a bad mood, they also make you hungrier and can cause weight gain. Striving for that perfect balance is important, and you can look for hormone-free forms of birth control if you’re concerned with weight gain.

7

Hair Loss

If your body has stopped menstruating and you are also underweight, or losing weight, then chances are you will suffer hair loss. This usually happens if estrogen levels take a nose dive, but could also be a sign of a nutritional deficiency, or both. If your hair is falling out when you wash, comb or dry your hair, then get your hormone levels checked ASAP and be sure you’re getting enough nutrients through your diet. Zinc, protein and selenium all contribute to hair health, and will keep it from falling out. A diet rich in nuts, seeds, protein, and antioxidants can help by nourishing your hair and your hormones, so be sure to eat a healthy diet rich in these nutrients. These foods also help to increase your mood, prevent acne, and aid in metabolism functions as well.

I’m sure many of you are familiar with at least one of these symptoms of estrogen imbalance. I feel like I could write a book on the issue, having been all around the block with my hormones and back! What I can tell you is that balance is possible, so long as you take care of yourself. Have you ever experienced an imbalance in your estrogen?

Sources: sheknows.com, oprah.com

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I experience all of these things but I'm 14. Is that normal?

The early menopouse happened to me at the age of 29.

I have a few of these symptoms but I'm taking the combined pill to control my periods, is it the pill or hormones?

Is this also be normal at ages 15-16?

This isn't medically accurate , heather. There is a relation between sex hormones and these symptoms. A complicated issue, and 'estrogen out of balance' is always a symptom of something else. So if you're worried, see your doctor. (Depression, for example may lead to suppression of sex hormone, while at the same time changes in sex hormones, may trigger depression).

I do too and I'm 13.

Is this curable?

I've experience all of this for years and I'm 18. Oo is this normal?

This happened to me a few times when I was sick and stressed and lost a lot of weight. So scary, but now that I'm healthy my hair is back and vibrant!

I totally agree with kierrah! Keeping your daughter in the dark, Doesn't really help in the LONGGG run! Give her a fighting chance. I mean try and protect her but give her the 411 on what she needs to know about life so it's not a SLAP IN THE FACE! I really enjoy this app.... :) And I have a 10 year old little girl whom I had at 16. And I'm very scared in hoping that she will make BETTER choices than me!!! I talk to her about alot. And I want her to be comfortable to come and talk to me about anything EVER! Rather than just go out and do something and get herself in trouble. I mean kids will be kids. But I think it's more beneficial to be UPFRONT with your kids. That is all

Related Topics

7 Types of Anxiety Disorders That You Should Know about ... 9 Tips to Consider if Your Hormones Are Driving You Crazy ... 7 Reasons Why Your Skin Could Look Older than You Are ... 7 Current Health Studies You Should Know about ... 7 Crucial Things to Know about Adrenal Fatigue ... 7 Cellulite Myths You Need to Stop Believing Right Now ... 9 Incredible Facts about the Health Hazards of Smoking Cigarettes ... 7 Things You Should Know about over the Counter Painkillers ... reasons for breaking out 7 Things You Should Know about Color Therapy ...

Popular Now