Symptoms of Low Estrogen | Can It Cause Women to Gain Weight?

19 Mar Symptoms of Low Estrogen | Can It Cause Women to Gain Weight?

Symptoms of estrogen deficiency in females are common before menopause. But are the effects of low estrogen in females detrimental to their health?

If you are looking for answers to these questions, it’s right here in this blog.

It won’t be wrong to say, our bodies are ruled by hormones. And one such hormone is estrogen.

Although it is present in both males and females, it’s primarily a female sex hormone.

To explain, estrogen is that hormone that sets women apart from men. 

As a matter of fact, estrogens are responsible for a whole lot of body functions. For instance, maintenance of insulin level, body weight, sexual development, pregnancy, and bone health. 

Hence, don’t be surprised if your body starts to witness the effects of low estrogen all of a sudden. 

Apparently, symptoms of low estrogen in women are more likely to appear as they approach menopause. Nevertheless, females who haven’t hit puberty may also witness signs of low estrogen. 

But the question of the hour is what the signs of low estrogen in women are? 

So, let’s not beat around the bush and get straight to the point. 

5 Common Symptoms Of Low Estrogen In Women

Estrogen hormone is secreted by the ovary after ovulation. 

If you have a low estrogen level, it simply means your body is producing less estrogen hormone as compared to other hormones. 

But the thing to know is that low estrogen in females can affect their mental and physical health. 

So, knowing about the symptoms of low estrogen in women can help tackle it better. 

With that said, some of the signs of low estrogen in females include:

1. Irregular/Missing periods
2. Pain during sex
3. Hot flashes and night sweats
4. UTI (Urinary Tract Infections)
5. Feeling depressed

Here’s more information on each of these low estrogen symptoms…

#1. Irregular/Missing Periods

Your period or menstruation cycle has a lot to say about your health. 

Moreover, the menstruation cycle is primarily driven by the estrogen hormone. 

Low estrogen prevents the thickening of the uterine lining, causing your body to not have a full period.

Hence, if you are witnessing irregular periods, or your period has completely stopped, it can be because of low estrogen levels. 

#2. Painful Sex

Your sexual pleasure turning into pain is among the symptoms of low estrogen in women. 

It has two reasons:

• First, estrogen provides lubrication to the vagina. Hence, lack of lubrication causes painful sex. Notably, vaginal dryness is one of the prominent symptoms of low estrogen after menopause.

• Secondly, lack of estrogen in women can also result in thinning of the vaginal wall. And having sex with a thin vaginal wall can be seriously painful. 

However, this symptom is nearly not as frustrating as the next one.

#3. Hot Flashes And Night Sweats

It is among the most annoying and weird symptoms of low estrogen in women. 

It happens when the hypothalamus starts getting affected by estrogen levels. 

If you remember from your science class, the hypothalamus is a region in your brain that controls body temperature. 

Well, the low estrogen level in the female body appears to the brain as high body temperature. As a result, it signals the vessels of the neck and head skin to open.

All this interferes with the body temperature, causing night sweats and hot flashes in menopausal women.  

This sign of low estrogen in females mostly appears during menopause and perimenopause. 

#4. Persisting Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

If you are witnessing frequent urinary tract infections, it’s time to get your estrogen levels checked. 

Low estrogen levels in females can lead to thinning of the urethra. And keeping the unhealthy bacteria at bay is what the urethra does. 

Hence, the thin lining of the urethra can lead to UTIs. UTIs in women can be painful and dangerous. 

So, if you’re experiencing urinary tract infections more than usual, better consult a gynecologist. 

#5. Feeling Depressed

Depression is somewhat common in women approaching menopause. 

It easily makes to the list of symptoms of low estrogen in women. 

To explain, a decline in estrogen level in women can affect the secretion of other hormones as well. 

Serotonin, for instance, is influenced by estrogen. Serotonin, as a neurotransmitter, helps uplift your mood. 

Hence, if you feel you’re depressed, or your overall mental health is declining, it is a sign of low estrogen. 

Notably, these low estrogen symptoms in females can be mistaken with other health issues as well. Hence, if you are experiencing any of these, get it diagnosed rather than assuming what’s wrong with your body. 

A female body goes through a lot of hormonal changes throughout life. 

Hence, a low estrogen level is not something unexpected. 

But the very fact that it affects the overall health makes it crucial to know what causes low estrogen in women. 

So, let’s find out then. 

Causes Of Low Estrogen [Deficiency] In Females

The causes of low estrogen in women are not always concerning. 

Witnessing symptoms of low estrogen levels is common among women of certain ages. 

While it may be a sign of some health condition, it can happen to any female, irrespective of their age. 

Some of the causes of low estrogen in females are:

#1. Age

It is the primary cause of low estrogen in females. After a certain age, a woman’s body enters the menopause phase. And then that estrogen level starts to decline. 

#2. Premature Menopause

It is one of the causes of low estrogen in 30s. Premature menopause is when your ovaries stop making eggs before hitting the age of 40. 

#3. Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are diseases that start attacking your own body. 

Hence, an autoimmune disease that attacks the ovaries is yet another cause of low estrogen in women. 

#4. Pituitary Gland Disorders

Notably, the pituitary gland signals the ovaries to produce estrogen. So, any disorder in the pituitary gland will affect the estrogen level. 

Hence, it is one of the causes of reduced estrogen in females. 

#5. Ovary Removal Surgery

The production of estrogen hormone takes place in the ovaries. 

Hence, women who get their ovaries removed can experience the symptoms of low estrogen levels. 

#6. Too Much Exercise

Exercise is all about keeping your body healthy. But too much exercise or overtraining can interrupt the production of estrogen in women. 

#7. Eating Disorders

Women who have had eating disorders may witness low estrogen levels as well. Anorexia and bulimia deprive the body of enough essential nutrients. As a result, it causes the symptoms of low estrogen in women. 

#8. Hypogonadism

The fact that ovaries produce estrogen makes it clear why hypogonadism is among the causes of low estrogen in females. 

Hypogonadism is a condition in which the functioning of the ovaries gets affected. 

These were some of the common causes that give rise to female low hormone symptoms. Apart from this, women with some genetic conditions and chronic kidney diseases may also experience the symptoms and effects of low estrogen. 

And while we’re at the effects of low estrogen in females, evidence has it that it can affect vaginal, bone, and heart health as well. 

Let’s dig in deeper to unearth the effects of low estrogen levels in females.

Effects Of Low Estrogen In Females

Hormonal fluctuations in the female body happen throughout life. Naturally, the effect of low estrogen in females depends on what phase of life they are in. 

For instance, the effect of low estrogen in teenage females could result in delayed puberty. 

Whereas, women in their late 30s and 40s may experience low libido and skin and weight-related issues. 

Here are some of the effects of low estrogen in females.

#1. Effect On Metabolism

This is one of the primary effects of low estrogen in females. Females with low estrogen feel a lack of energy and often feel fatigued. 

According to a study done on lab animals, those with low estrogen tend to eat more and be less physically active. 

By the same token, it is possible that low estrogen level in women can drag down their metabolic rate. 

#2. Effects On Musculoskeletal Function

It is among the major side effects of low estrogen in females. 

Importantly, estrogen contributes to your bone health. It prevents bone loss. 

Notably, women’s bone health starts to decline after the age of 30.

Hence, the lack of this female hormone may stimulate the bone loss process. 

It can increase the risk of fracture. It also gives rise to the risk of developing osteoporosis. 

Moreover, a recent study shows that low estrogen affects musculoskeletal tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

#3. Effects On Heart Health

Low estrogen levels in females make them more susceptible to heart diseases.

Surprisingly, estrogen keeps a check on your heart health. It controls the cholesterol level in the blood. And it does so by increasing the level of good cholesterol. 

Adding to it, estrogens also absorb the free radicals and protect the arteries from getting damaged. 

Hence, a decline in estrogen level can increase the risk of heart diseases.

#4. Effects On Skin 

Females with low estrogen may experience dry skin. It is also one of the symptoms of low estrogen in women. 

Moreover, when this female hormone slips too low, it can accelerate the aging of the skin. According to estrogen and aging skin research, estrogen deficiency following menopause can give rise to skin atrophy. That is to say, the skin starts thinning and loses elasticity. Hence, there is an increase in wrinkles and dryness. 

#5. Effects On Cognitive Ability

Estrogen deficiency in females also affects their cognitive performance. 

To elaborate, women during menopause and perimenopause have reported brain fog. 

This takes place in 2 ways: 

• Trouble in remembering things
• Difficulty concentrating

Having said that, these effects can also happen as a result of lack of sleep due to low estrogen. 

Hence, directly as well as indirectly, low levels of estrogen in females affect their cognitive functions. 

It is quite evident that these effects of low estrogen in females are quite common. It is because of this reason they are often mistaken as age-related issues. 

Likewise, there is one more issue that women often complain about when reaching a certain age. 

It is weight gain. 

But does lack of estrogen cause weight gain? 

Well, aging is one of the causes of low estrogen in women. Hence, when we connect the dots, one can’t rule out the possibility. 

So, let’s find out the truth. 

Can Low Estrogen Cause Weight Gain?

That one thing that any woman cannot miss on noticing is their weight gain. 

Low estrogen levels do contribute to the weight gain process. 

It happens when the level of estradiol, a type of estrogen, starts declining. Estradiol is responsible for metabolism. Hence, a decrease in it leads to weight gain. 

In a study, it has been noticed that healthy newly menopausal women showed weight gain and body fat in a period of 4 years. 

It happened because of low estrogen and low metabolism. Moreover, low estrogen also causes weight gain because of low-functioning ovaries. 

To elaborate, since ovaries are the largest producer of estrogen in the body, once there’s a lack of hormonal secretion, the body starts to look for other sources. Hence, it starts converting all the energy sources into fat storage, which results in weight gain. 

Furthermore, a normal estrogen level increases the fat around the hip region before menopause. On the contrary, after menopause, low estrogen levels increase fat around the belly. 

Hence, maintaining hormonal balance can contribute to achieving a healthy weight. 

By nature, estrogen happens to be one such hormone that you need to look out for if you don’t want a potbelly. 

And if these natural methods don’t seem to work, you can always consult a doctor and investigate medical treatments like hormonal replacement therapy.

But I do recommend you to first try these natural methods and see how they work in your case. Sometimes, just dropping off big loads of stress and managing your weight can change things for you.

Not to mention, early detection of the symptoms of low estrogen in women can help get control over it. 

Final Outlook 

Sex hormones are present in both men and women. And fluctuations in those hormones are normal. What is also normal are the effects of those hormonal changes and fluctuations on your body. 

As soon as estrogen, a female sex hormone, starts to hit a low, you will start experiencing some changes. 

Some of the effects may include weight gain, brain fog, loss of bone density, and heart issues.

With these, it is natural for irritating and unreasonable feelings to crop up. Do not punish yourself for feeling out of sorts on these days.  

However, learning about the causes and symptoms of lack of estrogen in females can be of great help. 

While too low estrogen symptoms in females are more common during menopause, they can appear at any age. 

When it happens in the later phase of life, it can be corrected with proper diet, exercise, and proper medication. 

However, in case someone is experiencing the symptoms of low estrogen early on in their life, it is best to consult the doctor. 

Hopefully, now you’ve got a good idea about the symptoms, causes, and effects of low estrogen in women. 

Do share your views and leave any other queries you have in the comments section below.