Estradiol (E2) is the primary form of estrogen in your body during your reproductive years.  While E2 has a role in both men’s and women’s bodies, women have much higher levels of the hormone. The main function of E2 is to mature and maintain a woman’s reproductive system. 

E2 also impacts the following systems: Cardiovascular, Skeletal, Immune, Gastrointestinal, and Brain. Increased levels of E2 cause the maturation and release of the egg, as well as the thickening of the uterine lining which enables the egg to implant. Estrogen levels rise and fall twice during a menstrual cycle.

Menopause and Estrogen

What is menopause?

Menopause, is a woman’s final menses, which is confirmed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation. During this time, the body experiences a significant decline in estrogen, as well as testosterone and progesterone, and an increase in FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone).

Women will go through different bodily stages throughout their life: 

Premenopause: The period of time from puberty to menopause. Premenopausal women are still producing their own estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Perimenopause: A period of time that starts at the onset of menstrual cycle changes and other menopause-related symptoms, extending through menopause and up to one year after menopause. 

Postmenopause: The period of time after menopause. A woman is no longer able to produce estradiol or progesterone. 

Symptoms of Menopause

There are many different symptoms of menopause which can be broken into six main categories: 

• Systemic: weight gain, heavy night sweats
• Psychological / Functional Changes: dizziness, interrupted sleep patterns, anxiety, poor memory, depression, irritability, mood swings, less interest in sexual activity
• Joints / MSK Issues: soreness, stiffness
• Urinary: incontinence, urgency
• Vaginal: dryness, painful intercourse
• Transitional menstruations: shorter or longer cycles, bleeding between periods

Symptoms of Estrogen Deficiency in Women

Some common symptoms of estrogen deficiency in women include the following: 

​

• Dry skin
• Breast changes / volume reduction
• Weak bones / increase risk of fractures 
• Headaches and migraines
• Mood swings and irritability
• Depression and anxiety
• Decreased sex drive
• Insomnia
• Weight gain (especially in the abdominal region)
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse

Benefits of HRT with Estrogen

Estrogen can be administered in various forms, including gel, cream, or an implanted pellet.

After determining the best dosage to treat your hormonal imbalance, you can expect a variety of positive changes, including:

• Improved fitness levels
• Increased feelings of well-being and vitality 
• Decreased perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms 
• Improvements to cognitive functions
• Increased bone density 
• Decreased body fat 
• Increased sex drive
• Higher quality sleep 

Risks Associated with ORAL Estrogen Therapy

• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating
• Weight gain
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Blood clots
• Vaginal bleeding
• Mental/mood change
• Gallstones
• Lumps in breast

​

NOTE: With the Bioidentical Estrogen Pellet Therapy available at Ontario Regenerative Medicine, these risks do not exist.