What is Estrogen?
Estrogen is a hormone that helps regulate the reproductive system. In women, estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking just before ovulation. In men, estrogen levels are much steadier, although they increase with age.
Estrogen is one of the three major hormones that affect women and men during puberty and throughout their lifespans. The other two are progesterone, which regulates ovulation and pregnancy, and testosterone, which is responsible for the growth of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, and muscle development.
Why Do Males Have Estrogen?
Men and women possess different reproductive systems, so their estrogen production is completely contrasting from each other. Men’s bodies employ aromatase to transform testosterone into estrogen, but as they age, it can cause a spike in estrogen and a decrease in testosterone levels.
Estradiol, a form of estrogen, works primarily to modulate libido, ensure healthy erectile function, and aid in the production of sperm. Estradiol production is increased in the brain in order to send signals for sexual arousal. Moreover, it aids in modulating testosterone, a huge contributor to erectile function.
Your hormones must maintain a healthy balance for your sexual performance to stay within healthy parameters. An irregular shift in your hormones will contribute to unusual symptoms that can be a cause of concern.
Estrogen and testosterone levels fluctuate throughout a man’s life; if testosterone drops below estrogen or if estrogen increases, physical symptoms may start to show.
What are Normal Levels of Estrogen in Men?
Estrone and estradiol are the two primary estrogen subtypes in men. The quantities are expressed in picograms per milliliter (pg/ml). The normal estrogen ranges per subtype are:
- For a prepubescent male: 16 pg/ml of estrone and 13 pg/ml of estradiol;
- For a pubescent male: 60 pg/ml of estrone and 40 pg/ml of estradiol;
- For an adult male: 10-60 pg/ml of estrone and 10-40 pg/ml of estradiol.
What are the Signs of High Estrogen in Men?
If you are wondering whether you have high estrogen levels, it’s best to check if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Gynecomastia: Breast tissue develops more than usual when estrogen levels are high. Gynecomastia is the benign enlargement of glandular breast tissue. You may feel tenderness in the chest area due to high estrogen levels.
- Erectile Dysfunction: High estrogen levels can affect the hormonal balance in your body responsible for erections, while low testosterone can cause erectile dysfunctions.
- Infertility: One of the hormones in your body in charge of producing sperm is estrogen. If your estrogen levels are too high, sperm production can slow down.
What Role Does Estrogen Play in Men?
To understand the role of estrogen in men, let’s talk about how estrogen plays an important role in women during adolescence. Estrogen is vital to the development of sexual functions and the characteristics of a woman. It is imperative in menstruation to regulate the reproductive cycle throughout a woman’s life.
This process is similar for men, but instead of estrogen, estradiol is the main character in the formation of a male’s sexuality. This form of estrogen is the hormone used to stay in balance with testosterone, the most significant hormone in the sexual development of men. Moreover, estradiol helps control a man’s sex drive, production of sperm, and ability to have an erection.
As men age, it is common for testosterone to decrease while estrogen increases. This is where the risk of high estrogen levels comes into play, making it a catalyst for numerous conditions like diabetes and other forms of cancer.
What Causes High Estrogen in Men?
There are numerous causes behind an increase in estrogen levels, with aging being the main culprit. Many hormonal changes occur as a result of growing up. As mentioned above, testosterone levels decrease as a man ages, while estrogen levels inevitably increase to balance these hormones out.
Another contributor to high estrogen levels is the enzyme aromatase. We previously talked about how aromatase produces the hormone estrogen. This enzyme is also found in fat, which is why maintaining a healthy diet is vital in order to preserve an adequate hormonal balance.
High Estrogen Personalized Treatment
with Dr. Chang!
You may be suffering from imbalanced estrogen levels, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. There are treatments available that can help restore balance and alleviate your symptoms. Talk to Dr. Philip Chang of MedHealth 360 about treatment options! With the help of medical treatment and lifestyle changes, you will find relief from the symptoms of hormonal imbalance and improve your overall health!
If you’re ready to take the next step, call us at 703-729-5553 or send a message through our website’s contact form. You can also read our blog for more information about estrogen and the available treatments for you. We would be happy to help you get started on the path to better health!
