Oestrogen affects many aspects of your body, from your energy and mood to your skin and bones. During menopause, the production of the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone gradually decreases, sometimes starting as early as age 35. Because progesterone declines more rapidly than oestrogen, various changes can occur in your body and how you feel. What exactly is the role of oestrogen in your body? And what symptoms can arise due to these fluctuations?
I thought oestrogen only had something to do with menstruation. Now I know how much it affects my energy, mood, and skin—and I take better care of myself.
Oestrogen is one of the most important female sex hormones and is produced primarily in the ovaries. It plays a role in the development of female characteristics, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy.
In addition, the hormone has other functions:
Oestrogen is a key hormone that influences both the physical and mental health of a woman throughout her life. When oestrogen levels decline during menopause, this brings about changes. But more on that later.
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In addition to oestrogen, the sex hormone progesterone also plays an important role in a woman's body. These two hormones work closely together, for example, during the menstrual cycle.
Oestrogen takes the lead in the first half of the cycle, helping to build up the uterine lining and stimulating ovulation. Progesterone stabilises the uterine lining in the second half of the cycle and prepares the body for a possible pregnancy. Read more about progesterone during menopause.
A woman goes through different stages during menopause: perimenopause, menopause (officially not a phase but a single day), and postmenopause. What happens to oestrogen levels during these stages?
Because progesterone declines more rapidly than oestrogen, oestrogen dominance can occur during perimenopause. Typical signs of oestrogen dominance include mood swings and weight gain, but also fluid retention, tender breasts, headaches and migraines, and sleep problems, which may indicate elevated oestrogen levels relative to progesterone.
When oestrogen production stops completely, these symptoms diminish for many women. However, because oestrogen levels remain low afterwards, new symptoms can arise during postmenopause.
Common menopausal symptoms in postmenopause include dry skin and mucous membranes, such as the eyes and vagina, because oestrogen helps maintain moisture and elasticity. The risk of osteoporosis also increases, as oestrogen is essential for bone density. Additionally, low oestrogen levels can affect the cardiovascular system and raise cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease.
By staying active and adopting other healthy habits, symptoms can be alleviated and sometimes even disappear. Some key points include:
*Health claims pending approval by the European Commission.
Do you experience severe menopausal symptoms, and the above tips don’t provide enough relief? Hormone therapy can be an effective way to alleviate symptoms. This applies to issues such as hot flushes and night sweats during perimenopause, as well as osteoporosis or vaginal dryness in postmenopause.
The best treatment for you (the forms of administration and the composition of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen vary) depends on your symptoms, the stage you are in, and any other conditions.
Through SeeMe-nopause, you can easily seek advice from a doctor at home. Choose your preferred medication, and a doctor will assess whether the treatment is safe and suitable for you.
