Symptoms of low estrogen

Overview Primary ovarian insufficiency occurs when the ovaries stop functioning as they should before age 40. When this happens, your ovaries don't produce typical amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. This condition is also called premature ovarian failure and often leads to infertility. Primary ovarian insufficiency is sometimes confused with premature menopause, but these conditions aren't the same. Women with primary ovarian insufficiency can have irregular or occasional periods for years and might even get pregnant. But women with premature menopause stop having periods and can't become pregnant. Restoring estrogen levels in women with primary ovarian insufficiency helps prevent some complications that occur as a result of low estrogen, such as osteoporosis. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of primary ovarian insufficiency are similar to those of menopause or estrogen deficiency. They include: • Irregular or skipped periods, which might be present for years or develop after a pregnancy or after stopping birth control pills • Difficulty getting pregnant • Hot flashes • Night sweats • Vaginal dryness • Dry eyes • Irritability or difficulty concentrating • Decreased sexual desire When to see a health care provider If you've missed your period for three months or more, see your health care provider to determine the cause. You can miss your period for a number of reasons — including pregnancy, stress, or a change in diet or exercise habits — but it's best t...

Overview Perimenopause means "around menopause" and refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years. Perimenopause is also called the menopausal transition. Women start perimenopause at different ages. You may notice signs of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s. The level of estrogen — the main female hormone — in your body rises and falls unevenly during perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don't release an egg (ovulate). You may also experience menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness. Treatments are available to help ease these symptoms. Once you've gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, you've officially reached menopause, and the perimenopause period is over. Symptoms Throughout the menopausal transition, some subtle — and some not-so-subtle — changes in your body may take place. You might experience: • Irregular periods. As ovulation becomes more unpredictable, the length of time between periods may be longer or shorter, your flow may be light to heavy, and you may skip some periods. If you have a persistent change of seven days or more in the length of your menstrual cycle, you may be in early perimenopause. If you have a space of 60 da...

• About • Physicians • Rupa D. Goolsby, M.D. • William M Johnson, III M.D. • John C. Foster, M.D. • Jodie Blankenship Benton, M.D. • Valentina Folse, P.A. • Patient Reviews • Gynecology • Bone Density • Hormone Replacement Therapy • Mammography • Menopausal Management • MonaLisa Touch • Obstetrics • Ultrasound • SneakPeek Genetic Testing • SmartFit Weight Loss • Your First Visit • Individualized Plans • Dietary Supplements • Patient Tools Login • Patient Resources • Patient Forms • OB/GYN Associates Patient Portal • Online Bill Pay • Blog • Locations • Birmingham • Hoover • Gardendale You probably know that estrogen plays a vital role in women’s sexual health and wellness, maintaining our sex drive, vaginal health, menstrual cycle, and ability to conceive (along with the pregnancy hormone progesterone). Estrogen also helps keep other parts of our body functioning optimally, like our bones, brain, muscles, and heart. So when we have At OB/GYN Associates of Alabama, we’re sometimes asked if low estrogen can make you feel “weird.” We understand that sometimes, it’s hard to pin down what exactly feels off. Simply saying that you don’t feel yourself is a good start. Let’s talk about a few of the lesser-known but common symptoms we see with low estrogen. Low Estrogen Causes Both progesterone and estrogen production diminishes naturally as we age, typically beginning to fluctuate at around age 35. Then, around your mid-40s, you may begin experiencing Low estrogen can also affect ...

The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (vaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis) frequently affects people transitioning to menopause. It’s a condition where the lining of your vagina gets drier and thinner from a lack of estrogen. Burning, itching, spotting and pain with sex are common symptoms, as are frequent urination and urinary tract infections. Overview A typical vaginal lining consists of healthy tissue that’s thick and moist. With vaginal atrophy, this tissue becomes dry and thin with less blood flow to the area. What is vaginal atrophy? Vaginal atrophy is a condition where the lining of your Vaginal atrophy most often occurs during Recently, the term vaginal atrophy has been replaced with the newer term, genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). This new term helps describe not just the vaginal, but also the urinary symptoms that may occur as a result of low estrogen. How common is vaginal atrophy (GSM)? At least half of women and people AFAB who enter menopause show signs and symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Symptoms and Causes What are the symptoms of vaginal atrophy (GSM)? The tissue that lines the wall of your vagina becomes thin, dry and inflamed when you have vaginal atrophy. Often, the first sign is less lubrication (dryness), which you may notice during sex. Other symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause include: • Burning and/or itching in your vagina. • Dyspareunia ( • Unusual • Spotting or bleeding, especially during sex. • Vulva...

Overview What is primary ovarian insufficiency? Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition that occurs when a person’s The usual age for egg production to stop, known as menopause, is around 51. For some people, POI happens abruptly, and they suddenly stop having a regular menstrual period. But, for others, a diagnosis of POI comes after months or years of Primary ovarian insufficiency was previously known as premature ovarian failure. However, healthcare providers prefer “insufficiency” rather than “failure” because research has shown that people with POI can have intermittent ovulation. This means you may still release an egg and get pregnant if you have POI. In fact, around 5% to 10% of those with a diagnosis of POI will spontaneously get pregnant without treatment for infertility. For this reason, POI is often also called “decreased ovarian reserve.” How common is primary ovarian insufficiency? POI is rare, typically affecting about 1% of women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) between ages 15 to 44. It can affect both those who’ve had children and those who haven’t ever had children. It’s more common in people who are older than 30. How does primary ovarian insufficiency affect my body? Primary ovarian insufficiency causes low estrogen levels. Losing estrogen can have side effects similar to those that occur with Many people with primary ovarian insufficiency experience Symptoms and Causes What causes primary ovarian insufficiency? In the majority of c...