Today we are going to talk about hormones–and no, we don’t mean pubescence hormones that inspire awkward teen years. We mean estrogen, which is a sex hormone responsible for the development/regulation of the female reproductive system. 

While estrogen is an important aspect of a woman’s health, low estrogen levels or imbalances can cause complicated health issues and even lead to cancer. 

Whether you’re experiencing female hormone imbalance or you’re just curious, we’re here to answer your most frequently asked questions about estrogen imbalance, which may include: 

• What does estrogen do? 

Estrogen has a huge role to play in women’s health. While men also produce low levels of estrogen, this hormone is primarily responsible for: 

• Sexual development during puberty. 
• Breast development. 
• Bone and cholesterol metabolism. 
• Body weight, insulin sensitivity, and food intake. 
• Growth of uterine lining during menstruation. 

What are some of the causes of estrogen imbalance? 

There are several potential causes to low or imbalanced estrogen levels, including: 

• Eating disorders 
• Poorly functioning pituitary glands
• Too much exercise
• Ovarian failure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Turner Syndrome
• Perimenopause, etc. 

• How do you know if you have an estrogen imbalance? 

If you think that you are experiencing an estrogen imbalance or other hormonal imbalance you should consult a doctor immediately. Here are some of the common signs of estrogen imbalance: 

• Insomnia and other sleep disorders
• Mood swings, depression, and anxiety 
• Persistent weight gain 
• Excessive acne 
• Muscle loss 
• Irregular and excessive sweating
• Unusual memory fog
• Digestive issues 
• Hot flashes 
• Extreme fatigue 
• Onset migraines and headaches

• How do you treat estrogen imbalance? 

For years estrogen imbalances have been treated with hormone therapy. While this may be necessary in some cases, ReNee Greenberg, RN, MTOM, LAc, IFMCP, and founder of Women’s Hormone Health, uses functional medicine to get estrogen back to natural, normal levels. In reference to estrogen related cancers, ReNee mentions, “with diet, lifestyle, and targeted nutrients we can encourage a health detoxification pattern”. 

To learn more about Women’s Hormone Health and how other successful nurse entrepreneurs are running successful businesses, listen in on this week’s podcast.