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Oestrogen affects many of the body's functions and is important for, among other things, the skeleton, brain, heart, mucous membranes, mood and sexual health. When levels are too low or too high for a long time, the symptoms can be both numerous and diffuse, making hormonal imbalance difficult to identify without a comprehensive assessment.
Low estrogen is often seen during menopause but can also affect younger women and cause symptoms such as irregular periods, fatigue, sleep problems, hot flashes and reduced bone density. Elevated levels or an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone can instead cause heavy bleeding, mood swings, weight gain and an impact on fertility.
Since hormone levels vary naturally over time, a correct assessment always requires context. In the case of problems that affect quality of life, hormonal blood tests, interpreted by a doctor, can provide valuable guidance for further action.
Fatigue, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, hot flashes, changes in menstruation or decreased sex drive can all be signs of hormonal imbalance. Because estrogen affects so many systems at the same time, the symptoms can feel scattered and difficult to connect. In this article, we explain what can happen with low and elevated estrogen levels, which symptoms are common over time and when it may be relevant to examine your hormone levels.
Broad impact on the body
Estrogen is not a single hormone but a group of hormones, where is the most biologically active form in fertile women. Levels vary naturally during the menstrual cycle and change throughout life, with clear shifts during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
In addition to fertility, estrogen, and especially estradiol, affects several basic functions in the body and is involved in processes that are important for both physical and mental health:
- maintaining bone density
- protecting mucous membranes in the lower abdomen and urinary tract
- affecting cholesterol metabolism and vascular health
- supporting cognitive function and emotional balance
Therefore, long-term deviations in estrogen levels can affect both physical and mental health.
Symptoms of low estrogen levels over a long period of time
Low estrogen levels are most common in connection with menopause, but can also occur in young women. Conditions such as underweight, severe lack of energy, intense exercise, stress, certain autoimmune or hormonal diseases, and impaired ovarian function can lead to low estrogen.
When estrogen levels are low for a long time, several systems in the body are affected.
The menstrual cycle is often affected early, with irregular or absent periods and reduced fertility. At the same time, classic menopause-like symptoms can occur, such as hot flashes and night sweats, even in younger women.
Sleep quality often deteriorates, which can contribute to fatigue, difficulty concentrating and reduced stress tolerance. Many also experience mood swings, depression, irritability or a feeling of mental fog.
Low estrogen also affects mucous membranes, which can lead to vaginal dryness, discomfort during intercourse and increased susceptibility to infection in the genitals. Sex drive can decrease, both due to hormonal influences and secondary factors such as lack of sleep and psychological well-being.
In the long term, low estrogen can contribute to reduced bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis, especially after menopause if no preventive measures are taken.
What happens when estrogen levels are elevated for a long time?
Elevated estrogen levels or an imbalance between estrogen and can occur in conditions such as obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome <symptom />, <symptom /> and certain hormone-producing conditions. Liver function and the body's ability to break down hormones are also affected.
With prolonged elevated estrogen, the menstrual cycle can become irregular, with heavy or painful bleeding. Many also experience breast tenderness, fluid retention and weight gain, often with more fat accumulation around the hips and abdomen.
Mood effects are also common here, with irritability, anxiety or depression. Fertility can be negatively affected, even though estrogen levels are high.
Long-term imbalanced estrogen levels can also increase the risk of hormone-related conditions in the endometrium, which means that follow-up is sometimes justified.
It is important to point out that elevated estrogen in itself does not automatically mean an increased risk of breast cancer. Risk assessment is always individual and is influenced by several factors.
Estrogen treatment – when can it be relevant and how is the benefit assessed?
Estrogen treatment has been controversial for a long time, especially in connection with menopausal symptoms. In the past, the focus has often been on potential risks, but today there is a more nuanced and individualized view in healthcare, where both symptom picture, age, time since menopause and other risk factors are taken into account.
For many women with pronounced symptoms, estrogen treatment can contribute to improved quality of life and relief of symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disorders and mucosal problems. Treatment can also have an impact on bone density and in some cases affect cardiovascular health, especially if it is started in the right time window and followed up regularly.
At the same time, hormone therapy is not always necessary or appropriate for everyone. For some women, lifestyle changes, local treatment or other interventions may be sufficient. Therefore, an individual medical assessment, where both benefits and possible risks are discussed, is always central before considering treatment.
What can you do yourself to support hormonal balance?
Lifestyle factors affect hormonal balance more than many people think. Regular sleep, sufficient energy intake, a balanced diet and stress management are fundamental to the body's hormonal regulation.
Physical activity has positive effects, but extreme exercise combined with low energy intake can instead contribute to lowered estrogen levels. It is therefore about balance rather than extremes.
Then it may be relevant to check estrogen levels?
In the case of symptoms that affect quality of life, changes in menstrual patterns, fertility problems or suspicion of hormonal imbalance, blood tests can provide valuable information. Interpretation of estrogen is always done in relation to age, cycle day and often together with other hormones such as progesterone, FSH and LH to provide a more accurate overall picture.
Because hormone levels vary naturally over time, a correct assessment requires context – not just a single value. That is why we offer hormonal blood tests and health checks that are interpreted by a doctor, where the result is put in relation to your symptoms and your specific life situation.
A correct assessment therefore requires context – not just a single value.