Articles on Estrogen

Estrogen, the female sex hormone, is actually present in men as well

Moreover, it has a huge impact on men's health. Among the many things affected by estrogen, some of the most important ones include libido, sexual function, and sperm production.

Libido modulation

Low levels of testosterone lead 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.

Sexual function

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.

Spermatogenesis

Estradiol can be found in the male reproductive tract where it's produced in the Leydig cells from testosterone. Increased estrogen levels lead to a decrease in testicular size and impairment of sperm production.

Hormonal imbalance between testosterone and estrogen in men leads to severe health issues

Estradiol is the primary form of active estrogen in males, produced via the aromatization of testosterone. As men age, testosterone levels drop because more of the hormone is transformed into estrogen in the body's fatty tissue—along with the decreased production of testosterone in the testes.

An imbalance between testosterone and estrogen in men leads to the following dangers:

Too much estrogen keeps you from attaining your dream physique by influencing metabolism, sex characteristics, and fat accumulation

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 your metabolism running 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 starts to grow, 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.

Fortunately, there are ways to achieve the right balance between androgens and estrogens

Those with too much estrogen should consider trying any of these convenient and straightforward solutions:

  • Engaging in diet and exercise to reduce their waist circumference
  • Taking supplements that prevent testosterone from getting converted into estradiol
  • Applying testosterone cream (the hormone will get absorbed into the bloodstream)
  • Using low-dose aromatase-inhibiting drugs based on prescription instructions

On the other hand, men suffering from the rare condition of having excessively low aromatase activity (and thus low estrogen levels) may try the following to get the right hormonal boost for their estrogen:

Articles about Estrogen