Estradiol is an estrogen, the female sex hormone. Until relatively recently it was believed that these hormones were only found in the female body, however, it is now known that we also find this hormone in the male testicles.
As a hormone, it is responsible for carrying out different processes in the body, most of them related to the sexual organs. Therefore, an imbalance in its levels can cause alterations in the way the body carries out these processes.
In the following oneHOWTO article we will explain what the causes of high estradiol, while we will indicate the consequences of this condition.
What is estradiol
As we just discussed, estradiol is a hormone that is produced in the human body, both by men and women. It is popularly known as the female hormone, which is because until recently it was believed that it was only produced by women. Its presence is found in the ovaries and testicles, from where it is secreted to fulfill its functions, but it is also produced, in smaller quantities, both in the brain and in the arterial walls.
Estradiol, especially in the case of women, your levels go up and down during ovulation periods and pregnancy. In fact, many of the female fertility problems are due to either too low or too high levels of estradiol in the uterus. However, estradiol is also used as a treatment for different symptoms caused by menopause, such as:
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flushes
- Irritation
- Osteoporosis
Causes of high estradiol
Estradiol levels are measured by blood tests. It is common for women undergoing fertility treatments to have their estradiol values evaluated periodically to see if they are adequate for fertilization.
If you are concerned about your estradiol levels, simply by requesting a blood test from your GP you will be able to know if you are fine or not.
But what are the causes of high estradiol? High estradiol is the result of some kind of ovarian problem, some difficulty in the ovarian area that affects the manufacture of this hormone and that affects your body making fertilization impossible or very difficult. Another major cause of high estradiol is the arrival of menopause. When the reproductive cycle of women is about to end, it is normal for the presence of this hormone in the blood to skyrocket.
Consequences of high estradiol
High estradiol is not a good sign, apart from the difficulties it poses for fertilization and pregnancy, high concentrations of this hormone can also cause development of different diseases both in men and women:
- In women, a high level of estradiol increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer.
- It greatly increases the chances of suffering a cardiovascular accident.
- It is more likely to cause breast cancer, in both men and women.
How to lower high estradiol
If you have begun to notice that one side of your body becomes numb, if you feel inflammation or heat in your breasts or if you often notice cramps in the lower stomach area, you should visit your doctor to do a blood test and tell you if your estradiol is too high.
If so, depending on the levels in which you move, he can prescribe aromatase inhibitors, a product that acts as a blocker in the production of estradiol and is used in different treatments against breast or endometrial cancer.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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