Typical Symptoms of Low Estrogen

• Although hot flashes and night sweats are the most well-known symptoms of low estrogen, many other more vague symptoms can afflict those with low estrogen levels. Mental symptoms can include an ADD-like inability to focus, memory problems, depression, loss of libido and even panic attacks. Physical symptoms can affect almost any area of the body, including the joints (arthritis), vagina (dryness or infection) and head (migraines). Other general symptoms of low estrogen are overall exhaustion and dry skin.
  
  In addition, evidence--as outlined in places like Dr. Philip J. Tuso's 2000 study on estrogen deficiency--suggests that heart disease and the risk of hip fractures can increase with low estrogen levels.
  
  

Treatment Options

• The most effective treatment for women suffering from estrogen deficiency is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). As the name suggests, hormone replacement therapy is a hormone supplement that introduces estrogen and other hormones back into the body. However, recent studies have suggested that hormone replacement therapy carries significant health risks, especially for women with a history of breast cancer, genital bleeding, blood clots and other conditions. While hormone therapy can help protect against heart disease, it can also increase heart disease, breast cancer, stroke and blood clots. Thus, hormone therapy is now seen as a temporary fix for some of the more severe symptoms of low estrogen, but is not generally recommended as a permanent course of treatment.
  
  Alternatives to hormone therapy seek to alleviate specific symptoms of low estrogen levels. Flax seed and soy can help with hot flashes, antidepressants can help with mood and water-based lubricants can help with vaginal dryness. Many women opt for herbal remedies such as black cohosh to re-establish estrogen levels. However, most of these herbal supplements have not been reviewed by the FDA for effectiveness. Therefore, side effects have not been studied and there is limited regulation over what ingredients are actually in a given supplement.
  
  

Lifestyle Changes

• Diet and exercise both can help relieve many of the mental symptoms of low estrogen. Meditation practices and yoga can help ward off depression and stress. Since exercise may also decrease levels of estrogen, consult with a doctor or nutritionist before attempting any specific workout routine.
  
  Many foods can help regulate hormonal levels as well. In addition to the aforementioned soy and flax seed, other foods that can provide low-estrogen symptom relief include apples, alfalfa, cherries, potatoes, yams and rice.