Susan Merenstein, Pharmacist/Owner

(412) 586-4678

Estrogen


Menopause is the best time in a women’s life if her hormones are balanced!

Synthetic HRT: Other Problems

  • It is estimated that one-half of women quit taking their synthetic hormone replacement therapy after one year because they are unable to tolerate the side effects.
  • Synthetic hormones waste energy by giving incomplete messages to cells which then fail to produce a balanced hormonal response.

Symptoms of Menopause

  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Loss of sexual interest
  • Hair growth on face
  • Painful intercourse
  • Panic attacks
  • Weird dreams
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Vaginal itching
  • Lower back pain
  • Bloating
  • Flatulence
  • Indigestion
  • Osteoporosis
  • Aching ankles, knees, wrists, shoulders, heels
  • Hair loss
  • Frequent urination
  • Snoring
  • Sore breasts
  • Palpitations
  • Varicose veins
  • Urinary leakage
  • Dizzy spells
  • Panic attacks
  • Skin feeling crawly
  • Migraine headaches
  • Memory lapses
  • Weight gain

Estrogen has 400 functions in the body including:

  • Stimulates the production of choline acetyltransferase, an enzyme which prevents Alzheimer’s disease
  • Increases metabolic rate
  • Improves insulin sensitivity
  • Regulates body temperature
  • Helps prevent muscle damage
  • Helps maintain muscle
  • Improves sleep
  • Reduces risk of cataracts
  • Helps maintain the elasticity of arteries
  • Dilates small arteries
  • Increases blood flow
  • Inhibits platelet stickiness
  • Decreases the accumulation of plaque on arteries
  • Enhances magnesium uptake and utilization
  • Maintains the amount of collagen in the skin
  • Decreases blood pressure
  • Decreases LDL and prevents its oxidation
  • Helps maintain memory
  • Increases reasoning and new ideas
  • Helps with fine motor skills
  • Increases the water content of skin and is responsible for its thickness and softness
  • Enhances the production of nerve-growth factor
  • Positive effect on emotions
  • Increases HDL by 10 to 15%
  • Reduces the overall risk of heart disease by 40 to 50%
  • Decreases lipoprotein(a)
  • Acts as a natural calcium channel blocker to keep arteries open
  • Enhances energy
  • Improves mood
  • Increases concentration
  • Maintains bone density
  • Helps prevent glaucoma
  • Increases sexual interest
  • Reduces homocysteine
  • Decreases wrinkles
  • Protects against macular degeneration
  • Decreases risk of colon cancer
  • Helps prevent tooth loss
  • Aids in the formation of neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin which decreases depression, irritability, anxiety, and pain sensitivity

References:
Graham, B., et al., “Sex hormones are associated with rumination and interact with emotion regulation strategy choice to predict negative affect in women following a sad mood induction,” Front Psychol 2018; 9:937.

Natural Estrogen

  • E1 called Estrone
  • E2 called Estradiol
  • E3 called Estriol

Estrone (E1)

  • The main estrogen the body makes postmenopausally
  • High levels many researchers believe may increase a women’s risk of breast cancer

Estradiol (E2)

  • Increases HDL
  • Decreases LDL and total cholesterol
  • Decreases triglycerides
  • Helps maintain bone structure
  • Increases serotonin
  • Decreases fatigue
  • Works as an antioxidant
  • Helps maintain memory
  • Helps absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc

Results of a new trial reveal that estradiol has a direct effect in reducing atherosclerosis by reducing cholesterol accumulation in the arterial wall.

Reference: Karim R, et al. Abstract MP09. Presented at: American Heart Association Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions; March 3-6, 2020; Phoenix.

Estriol (E3)

  • Is 80 times weaker than E2 so has a lesser stimulatory effect
  • Considerable evidence exists to show that it protects against breast cancer
  • Experimentally E3 is being used in breast cancer patients
  • It does not have the bone, heart, or brain protection of estradiol.

Functions of E3 in the Body

  • Helps maintain pregnancy
  • Benefits the vaginal lining
  • Blocks E1 by occupying the estrogen receptor sites on the cells of the breasts
  • Controls symptoms of menopause
  • Deceases LDL
  • Increases HDL
  • Helps reduce pathogenic bacteria
  • Helps restore the proper pH of the vagina, which prevents urinary tract infections
  • Helps the GI tract maintain a favorable environment for the growth of lactobacilli

Estrogen and the Brain

  • Common comments I hear from patients are the following:
  • “I think that I am losing my mind.”
  • “I feel like my body is divorcing itself.”
  • “I have lost the ability to spell.”
  • “I am always losing my keys.”
  • “I may be getting Alzheimer’s disease.”
  • Increases blood flow
  • Increases glucose and oxygen to the neurons
  • Protects neurons
  • Increases neurotransmitters
  • Keeps the blood-brain barrier working
  • Increases sensitivity to nerve growth factor
  • Decreases neuronal generation of Alzheimer’s beta amyloid peptides
  • Is a natural antioxidant
  • Increases manual speed and dexterity
  • Increases availability of acetylcholine
  • Boosts by 30% NMDA receptors to maintain strength and durability of synapse connections involved in creating long-term memories
  • Decreases distractibility
  • Turns on progesterone receptors

Estrogen Deficiency

  • Estrogen deficiency has been suggested to be a state of accelerated aging.

Reference: Birge, S., “The use of estrogen in older women,” Clin Geriatr Med 2003; 19(3):617-27.

Estrogen Replacement

  • The method of estrogen delivery is vital in assessing its benefits and uses.
  • Always prescribe estrogen transdermally or transvaginally.
  • For example, the use of estrogen transdermally, in stark contrast to orally, has been linked to a lower risk of deep vein thrombosis, cholecystitis, osteoporosis, and stroke.

Ref: Valdes, A., et al., “Estrogen therapy,” Stat Pearls (Internet) May 30, 2020.

Estrogen Given by Mouth

  • Increases blood pressure
  • Increases triglycerides
  • Increases estrone
  • Causes gallstones
  • Elevates liver enzymes
  • Increases SHBG (decreases testosterone)
  • Interrupts tryptophan metabolism and consequently serotonin metabolism
  • Lowers growth hormone
  • Increases prothrombic effects
  • Increases CRP
  • Increases carbohydrate cravings

Click here to read our blog! Estrogen Dominance - Help is Here!

Suggested Testing:
Saliva/Blood Spot Combo Kit Test
Saliva 5 Test