High & Low Estrogen In Men : Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Estrogen is frequently misunderstood as a female hormone, and however, estrogen is required for proper human function. Even estrogen in men is vital for the proper male body’s functioning.

Estrogen hormone is produced naturally in the body. Further, estrogen is present in both men and women, and it has distinct functions depending on your biological gender. Moreover a person’s health might be harmed by estrogen levels that are too higher or lower. So let us check all the vital information regarding estrogen.

Estrogen In Men: Functionality & Importance

As mentioned above, both the genders create estrogen. However, females possess elevated estrogen levels than males.

The ovaries, adrenal glands, testes, and fat cells produce estrogen, and it is essential for female adolescence and menstrual cycle management. Additionally, estrogen in men is vital for the male reproductive system.

There are three different estrogen types:

• estradiol, the primary type of estrogen;
• Estriol, a kind of estrogen often generated during pregnancy;
• estrone, found in more significant amounts in postmenopausal women.

Using aromatase, the body can transforms testosterone into estradiol. Also Estradiol serves the following functions in the male body:

• Controlling sexual desire
• Producing sperm
• Testicular function
• Attaining erections

However, males with insufficient aromatase activity to produce estrogen may experience:

• unusual bone formation
• fertility issues
• metabolic syndromes

Estrogen serves other roles inside the human body, and it may aid in cholesterol management and bones and cardiovascular health maintenance. Additionally, it also impacts emotions, skin, and other bodily tissues.

Testosterone is the essential hormone for the development and function of male sexuality. However, estrogen and testosterone must coexist in a state of equilibrium.

As men grow, testosterone levels fall while estrogen levels climbs. Yet, this is of little concern unless your estrogen levels become highly elevated. So this may be a potential risk for diabetes or any form of cancer.

Understanding Normal Levels Of Estrogen In Men

In males, the two primary estrogens are estrone and estradiol. The levels are stated as picograms per milliliter (pg/ml). The averages of each of them are as follows:

Symptoms Of High Estrogen In Men

Some of the symptoms of high estrogen levels in men include:

• Infertility: Estrogen is among the hormones required for sperm production. Further high amounts of estrogen may inhibit sperm production and create difficulties in producing healthy sperm or creating sperm morphology.
• Gynecomastia: Increased estrogen may cause large amounts of breast tissue to form. Further, high amounts might cause a condition known as gynecomastia to arise. So this occurs when the quantity of breast fat tissue is excessive.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED): Elevated estrogen levels might alter hormonal balances affecting the ability to get or maintain erection. Further low testosterone levels may also contribute for the same and create erectile dysfunction problem.
• Slow growth: High estrogen in men may cause short height and postponed puberty.
• Epiphyseal fusion: This may occur in teenagers with elevated estrogen levels, resulting in low height in guys.

Other potential symptoms include the following:

• lowered sexual desire
• decreased sperm concentration in semen that can lead to Azoospermia
• fatigue
• balding all over the body
• losing muscular mass
• reduced development of the penis and testicles
• reduction in bone density (osteoporosis)
• an abrupt sensation of heat (hot flashes)
• having difficulty concentrating

The Causes of High Estrogen In Men

Due to some reasons, your body may produce a large amount of estrogen or, in conjunction with reduced amounts of testosterone.

So the following drugs and substances may lead to high estrogen in men:

• Certain antibiotics,
• herbs, and other natural compounds, including ginkgo, ginseng ginseng extract & herb mix tablets
• phenothiazines (a medication for the treatment of mental health conditions)

Additionally, some health problems may increase estrogen levels, including:

• weight gain/obesity
• excessive stress
• some cancers like Prostate cancer and testicular cancer
•  liver illnesses
• hormone-disrupting syndromes, such as hypogonadism

Symptoms Of Low Estrogen In Men

Men with low estrogen levels are not a significant cause for worry.

However, most of the same symptoms of high estrogen may also occur when estrogen levels are too low. So this is because estrogen abnormalities may develop from hypogonadism, a syndrome in which your body produces insufficient hormones.

Further, low levels of estrogen in men might result in the following symptoms:

• Reduced sex drive
• Excessive fat around the abdomen
• Osteoporosis

Further, researchers discovered that individuals with cardiovascular illness had decreased testosterone and estrogen levels.

Hypogonadism may reduce levels of estrogen, testosterone, as well as other hormones, resulting in those same indications of high estrogen levels.

The Cause Of Low Estrogen In Men

Low estrogen levels owing to hypogonadism may have a variety of causes, including:

• autoimmune disorders like Addison’s illness or hypoparathyroidism
• hereditary abnormalities
• Sexually transmitted diseases, such as mumps
• kidney or liver disorders
• Testicles that haven’t descended or cryptorchidism
• Excess of iron in the blood (hemochromatosis)
• Exposure to radiation
• Undergoing penile or testicular surgery
• HIV-associated diseases
• Conditions affecting the pituitary gland
• Sarcoidosis
• Histiocytosis
• Obesity
• Extreme weight loss
• Lacking essential minerals and vitamins
• Neurosurgery
• A tumor development on or around the pituitary gland.

Diagnosing High/Low Levels Of Estrogen In Men

If a physician suspects that your estrogen levels are too high or too low, they will order a blood test. Further a qualified lab technician will conduct a lab test.

Your blood estrogen levels will be depicted in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) unit. So once you get the findings, your doctor will inform you of the next steps.

If they are normal, you may not need to take any action. However, if your estrogen levels are too high or too low, the doctor will prescribe the necessary procedures to restore balance.

Treatment Of Low/High Estrogen

After getting the blood test reports, that doctor may recommend the following steps to regulate estrogen in men.

Medication

Ideally, aromatase inhibitors — which prevent an enzyme called aromatase from converting androgens into estrogen — ought to be effective. However, data indicates that they have little impact.

Although not being advised as treatment, they may help lower estrogen levels in individuals if clinically appropriate.

Aromatase inhibitors are also accessible in their natural forms, like nettle root, grapeseed, and maca extract. Further, remember that you must first examine these natural alternatives with your healthcare professional.

Lifestyle Modifications

Dietary changes may also assist in maintaining low estrogen levels. Further high-fiber and low-fat diet is usually advisable for estrogen level regulation. So one can include the following items in your diet:

• Cruciferous vegetables
• Portobello and Shiitake mushrooms decrease aromatase naturally.
• Red grapes include the natural estrogen inhibitors resveratrol and proanthocyanidin.
• Pomegranates are rich in polyphenols that inhibit estrogen.

As a consequence of artificial hormone treatment, several meat items contain estrogen, and one should avoid them. Additionally, other products that may boost estrogen levels and should be avoided include:

• Wraps or containers made from plastic that the food may absorb
• Avoid shampoos and other personal care products, including parabens including estrogens.

Further maintaining a healthy weight might help regulate estrogen levels. Additionally ensure:

• To get a checkup for evaluating your overall health.
• Make a strategy and begin slowly by exercising for 15 to 30 minutes each day, gradually increasing the duration as you get more comfortable.

Risk Factors Related To Estrogen Imbalances

All individuals born with penises have minimal estrogen levels at birth, increasing with age.

In this group, elevated estrogen levels may raise the risk of:

• Growing large male breasts
• Certain malignancies like prostrate
• Stroke
• Blood Cots
• Diabetes

When To Visit Doctor For Low Estrogen?

High/Low levels of estrogen in men require a doctor’s attention. So in case you are experiencing any low or high estrogen symptoms, you must visit your doctor. They may analyze estrogen levels and pinpoint the underlying problems. Additionally, the doctor may also help you determine whether your symptoms are due to elevated estrogen levels. Moreover, it is essential to address high estrogen levels and any underlying causes.

Numerous conditions that produce or are associated with excessive estrogen levels are treatable, and early treatment reduces the likelihood of consequences.

Bottom Line

Both high and low estrogen in men may produce long-term consequences or suggest the presence of a treatable underlying illness.

So make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect you may have abnormal estrogen levels.

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