Estrogen Deficiency and Natural Estrogen Replacment Benefits and Risks
by Patsy Hamilton
Over the years doctors and researchers have theorized that menopause is a kind of estrogen deficiency syndrome, but no one knows for sure. �Natural estrogen replacement� is a term that may be used to describe different types of estrogen replacement therapies. Equine estrogen, which is derived from the urine of pregnant mares, can be referred to as �natural�, because the source is �natural� or non-synthetic. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy may be referred to as �natural�, because hormones from plants and animals are modified in the laboratory to be molecularly identical to human hormones. And, then there are dietary sources of plant estrogens, which are components of vitamin and herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms.
The primary role of estrogen in a woman�s body is to prepare the uterus to receive a fertilized egg, but researchers have shown that estrogen does much more than this. It affects the skin and the bones and possibly the brain. Natural estrogen replacement of any type is believed to counteract some of the affects of estrogen deficiency on a woman�s body.
The primary symptoms of estrogen deficiency are irregular or missed periods, as occurs in the years leading up to and during menopause. Women whose ovaries have been damaged or surgically removed experience menopause like symptoms, no matter what their age. Natural estrogen replacement therapy relieves their symptoms, which leads to the cause and effect theory that menopausal symptoms are symptoms of low estrogen levels
According to the North American Menopause Society, hormones play an important role in skin health. Menopausal symptoms that are almost certainly caused by an estrogen deficiency include a decline in collagen and thickness of the skin. This occurs mostly during the years immediately following menopause. The skin becomes less elastic, bruises and tears more easily. Any type of natural estrogen replacement may have beneficial effects on the skin, but most types are not recommended solely for this purpose, because of the numerous health risks associated with estrogen taken orally.
Researchers at the University of Melina in Italy, investigating plant or phytoestrogens found that isoflavones from red clover may be effective. Isoflavones are a type of plant estrogen and there is evidence supporting their use to treat other menopausal symptoms, so these scientists decided to investigate their effects on the skin. They concluded that supplements containing red clover isoflavones increased skin elasticity, collagen content and thickness, reducing the signs of skin aging, believed to be caused by sudden estrogen deficiency.
One of the best known of the estrogen deficiency symptoms is bone loss or osteoporosis. Until studies linked oral estrogens and synthetic hormone replacement therapy to serious health risks such as blood clots and strokes, it was often recommended to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Lack of estrogen inhibits the body�s ability to absorb calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to effectively absorb calcium. Sun-screen which is necessary to protect the skin may also inhibit the body�s ability to activate vitamin D found in food. For this reason the North American Menopause Society advises that a vitamin D supplement may be necessary. The latest USRDA suggests that vitamin D supplements are probably necessary for anyone over the age of 50.
The body is able to absorb calcium most efficiently when iron, manganese, phosphorous, magnesium and vitamin C are present as well. Thus, a daily multi-vitamin containing adequate amounts of all of these nutrients, as well as vitamin D, provides the best insurance that a woman�s bones will continue to receive necessary amounts of calcium. Specialized health supplements designed for women containing plant estrogens may be even more effective, as the increase in dietary estrogenic compounds may counteract the estrogen deficiency that occurs when the ovaries stop functioning.
Vaginal dryness and thinness are similar to the estrogen deficiency symptoms that affect the skin. Since vaginal dryness and thinness can cause painful intercourse, women may experience a decreased sex drive as a result. This can create a kind of �vicious circle�, because lack of sexual stimulation may cause decreased blood flow to the genitals and a decrease in vaginal health, once again decreasing desire.
On the other hand, many women have found that they enjoy an increased sex drive following menopause. They feel an increased sense of freedom, because there is no longer a risk of pregnancy. For women who have the desire, but are bothered by dryness, any of the K-Y lubricants can help and there are some that are specifically designed to act on vaginal tissue to relieve dryness. Herbal sexual stimulants including ginseng and tribulus terrestris can increase libido. Tribulus may also increase levels of circulating hormones, thus acting as a natural estrogen replacement. Not all estrogen is produced by the ovaries. The adrenals produce some and other hormones are used by the body to create estrogens.
Tribulus is often recommended as a natural testosterone booster for men. Most medical literature focuses on natural estrogen replacement for women, but some researchers, doctors and scientists believe that low levels of testosterone may cause some of the problems that women have during menopause, particularly issues related to sexual desire. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy for women includes estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
At least one study has shown that estrogen improves the ability of the receptors in the hypothalamus to receive and transmit signals. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain in which memories are stored, is important in regulating mood, sleep and sexuality, among other functions.
The final conclusion is that estrogen deficiency following menopause can cause any number of symptoms ranging from those that affect the skin, the bones, the genitals and the brain. Any type of natural estrogen replacement therapy may relieve these symptoms, but certain ones should be used with caution and only for the shortest time possible. Equine estrogens, in particular, were studied by the Women�s Health Initiative and increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. Large scale studies concerning the long-term safety of other types of natural estrogen replacement have not been completed.
For more information about estrogen deficiency and the special nutritional needs of women nearing the age of menopause, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.
Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Read more at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com
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