How Do High and Low Estrogen Impact Male Health and Wellness?

While pretty much everyone knows that Testosterone is critical to male health and physiological function, most people aren't aware of the actual relationship between Estrogen and the male body. While women produce far more Estrogen than men, the colloquial feminine hormone is still crucial for men's health. On the other hand, too much Estrogen can lead to genuine problems for guys.

How Is Estrogen Important for Men?

Estrogen is shorthand for three hormones: Estriol, Estradiol, and Estrone. Estradiol is the most important to men and is intricately involved in sexual ability and function. Testosterone and Estrogen are in a delicate balance in both sexes; it's just that the balance of power with these hormones is vastly different between men and women. Men produce a little Estrogen and a lot of Testosterone.

Women make a little Testosterone and lots of Estrogen. Specifically, men should produce around fifteen times more Testosterone than Estrogen. The ratio of Testosterone vs. Estrogen is more important than the values themselves.

How Do Men Make Estrogen?

Men make Estrogen via an enzyme named aromatase. Aromatase is abundant in fat cells. This is important because obesity is one of men's leading causes of sex hormone imbalance. The more body fat a man carries, the more estrogen his body produces.

The hypothalamus uses circulating Estrogen Levels as a means to modulate Testosterone Production. Perhaps ironically, the more estrogen your body is converting, the less your brain signals for the production of Testosterone, which can lead to symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency. In some cases, men may not produce enough Estrogen via aromatase. This can lead to issues with fertility and also contribute to metabolic problems and abnormal bone development.

Causes of High Estrogen

Many different factors cause elevated Estrogen. As mentioned above, weight gain leads to increased Estrogen. Men are also likely to produce more Estrogen due to stress and aging, though aging sometimes leads to lower Estrogen production.

Certain tumors can also increase Estrogen expression. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals can also increase Estrogen or suppress Testosterone production. These chemicals can reproduce the effects of Estrogen. Steroids can also increase Estrogen Levels because some excess Testosterone is turned into Estrogen.

Symptoms of Elevated Estrogen Levels

• Gynecomastia
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Depression
• Weight Gain
• Migraines
• Erectile Dysfunction

High Estrogen is also evidence that a man is at high risk of several dangerous conditions, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, stroke, blood clots, and diabetes. Elevated Estrogen is also a symptom of Prostate Cancer.

Causes of Estrogen Deficiency

Because Testosterone Production and Estrogen Expression are firmly linked, Testosterone Deficiency can also lead to symptomatic Low Estrogen Levels. Several conditions also suppress estrogen production, including anorexia, hemochromatosis, autoimmune disorders, and cardiovascular issues. Low Estrogen is often a symptom of other health issues.

Symptoms of Estrogen Deficiency

• Insulin Resistance
• Weight Gain
• Osteoporosis
• Bone Loss
• Late Puberty
• Heart/Arterial Disease
• Trouble Ejaculating
• Depression

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