Low levels of testosterone result to low libido but can be corrected by taking estradiol. It’s quite interesting that, according to a case report involving aromatase deficiency and hypogonadism, both hormones are needed to increase libido.
Estrogen can inhibit normal penile development. This means it can decrease the bulbospongiosus muscle’s size, reduce space in the corpus cavernosum, and accumulate fat in the said spaces.
Also, keep in mind that both the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH) can reduce testosterone. Low levels of testosterone will then affect normal erectile function.
Estradiol can be found in the male reproductive tract and the brain, and is produced by Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and germ cells (only in the former). Increased estrogen production through the three cells cuts the number of viable sperm.
Estradiol is the active equivalent of estrogen in males and is produced via the aromatization of testosterone. As men age, testosterone gets depleted since it’s either aromatized into fatty tissues or converted into estradiol.
An imbalance between testosterone and estrogen actually comes with these risks:
Whenever there’s an abundance of estrogen in your system, your thyroid finds it harder to function optimally. A poorly performing thyroid fails to produce the hormones that keep metabolism at a sufficiently fast pace.
High estrogen levels can also make you look more feminine. In fact, it’s among the main causes of gynecomastia – a condition in which the male breast tissue grows and develops, which is why it’s more commonly called man boobs.
What’s worse is that having too much of the female hormone forces your body to store fat. That begins a destructive cycle since fat itself (specifically those in the abdominal area) triggers an increase in estrogen production.
Those with too much estrogen should consider trying any of these convenient and straightforward solutions:
On the other hand, men suffering from the rare condition of having excessively low aromatase activity may try the following to get the right hormonal boost: