What is estrogen deficiency?
Most of the oestrogen that can be measured in the blood is produced by the maturing follicles in the ovary. When the ovaries stop maturing eggs with increasing age, oestrogen levels fall.
Oestrogens are involved in the regulation of various organs and systems in the human body, so if levels are too low, this can lead to disorders and unfavorable health consequences. The reduced oestrogen level often leads to cycle disorders, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis, for example.
However, estrogen deficiency does not necessarily first occur during menopause. Young women can also suffer from low estrogen levels. The causes of oestrogen deficiency are often also the cause of an unfulfilled desire to have children.
What is the function of estrogens?
Child, teenager, adult, older woman: every woman goes through different stages in her life. These are also influenced by the sex hormones – above all the estrogens and progestins. A permanently disturbed hormone concentration can have various consequences – from mild cycle disorders to a late first period to severe physical changes, and it can also be a sign of infertility.
In a woman’s life, estrogens have several roles:
- Maturation of the sexual organs
- Preparation of the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy (menstrual cycle)
- Maintaining the moisture and resistance of the mucous membranes
- Health of the vessel wall
- Bone stability (protection against osteoporosis)
Changes in oestrogen levels in a woman’s life
As the vast majority of the oestrogen measurable in the blood is produced by maturing follicles, the oestrogen rises until ovulation and then reaches a further peak in the second half of the cycle. This means that short-term fluctuations in oestrogen levels are completely normal and it is very important to take into account when oestrogen was measured in the cycle.
During puberty, the full maturation of an egg follicle must first develop before ovulation can take place, i.e. menstrual cycles can be very irregular, and ovulation often takes place irregularly or not at all. This means that oestrogen levels can also fluctuate greatly.
During the fertile phase of life, oestrogen levels are influenced by the follicles maturing over a period of approx. 2 weeks, followed by ovulation and the subsequent corpus luteum phase.
During menopause, the ovaries gradually stop functioning. The last menstrual period occurs on average at the age of 52, but menopause can also occur early or even prematurely at a very young age. As this has a strong impact on fertility, it may be advisable to the determination of the so-called anti-Müllerian hormone, which provides information on the fertility reserve.
As a result of the menopause, oestrogen levels continue to fall until they stabilize at a relatively constant but low level.
