Chances are, you’ve heard of estrogen before – but do you know about its importance and how it impacts you? At ABC Compounding Pharmacy near Studio City, we believe everyone should know about the role of estrogen in women’s health.

Estrogen describes a collection of hormones that create uniquely feminine traits. As a girl ages, increases in estrogen levels allow her to reach puberty. Until menopause, those estrogen levels remain relatively raised. However, like other hormones, estrogen isn’t simple. In fact, estrogen imbalance can result in serious health consequences.

What Are The Negative Effects Of Estrogen Imbalance?

Your body has a natural way of balancing its estrogen levels when needed. Unfortunately, when this doesn’t happen – you have an estrogen imbalance which yields numerous health problems including infertility, weight issues, and cancer.

In order for the endometrial wall to thicken, estrogen levels must rise and peak just before ovulation. Next, estrogen levels must diminish for successful ovulation. If this process does not happen accordingly, the ovum will not be released. Instead, the ovum will remain within the ovary, leading to numerous health complications such as infertility.

Distribution of body fat depends on gender – women retain fat deposits in the thighs, hips, and butt areas while men retain visceral fat stored in the abdominal area. In premenopausal women, the risk of obesity is far lower than for men. However, following menopause, women face an increased risk of obesity. Fat will be redistributed and build up in the abdominal area. Why? Estrogen influences fatty tissue formation and fat metabolism. When estrogen levels are imbalanced, the body produces more adipose tissue. The increase in adipose tissue will then produce more estrogen, creating a vicious health cycle.

Estrogen has a cell-proliferating effect. When this cell-proliferating effect takes place in other parts of the body, it leads to breast cancer and uterine cancer.  The connection between estrogen and breast cancer is weight-dependent. Post-menopausal women have a greater risk of breast cancer development. Women with excess body fat (over 28 percent) are at risk of “estrogen dominance” which increases the risk of developing breast cancer among other issues such as mood swings, weight gain, and decreased sex drive.

Why Does Estrogen Imbalance Happen? How Can I Manage My Estrogen Levels?

There are two primary reasons why estrogen imbalance happens – environmental triggers and genetics.

Numerous environmental factors either create an imbalance in your estrogen levels or imitate the effects of estrogen. Certain chemical compounds (such as PCBs, BPAs, and phthalates) mimic estrogen’s actions and regular exposure will lead to an imbalance in your estrogen levels. As well, genetics is an important factor in estrogen imbalance – gene variations cause certain people to be more likely to experience hormonal imbalance.

To alleviate the symptoms of menopause, estrogen supplements can be taken orally (in the tablet form) or topically (as an applied cream). However, orally ingested estrogen (in the tablet form) presents many side effects:

• Increases blood pressure, triglycerides, and estrone
• Causes gallstones
• Elevates liver enzymes
• Decreases testosterone
• Interrupts tryptophan and serotonin metabolism
• Lowers growth hormone
• Increases prothrombic effects, CRP, and carbohydrate cravings

Using a topically applied estrogen cream yields fewer side effects than taking orally ingested estrogen.

Finally, in order to best manage your estrogen levels and diminish the likelihood of estrogen imbalance: manage your weight. Maintain a healthy diet – plenty of fruits and vegetables are a must. Regularly exercise – running and yoga are two great options.

Avoid the numerous side effects of orally ingested estrogen by visiting a compounding pharmacy for a customized estrogen cream that is made specifically for your health needs.

About ABC Compounding Pharmacy Near Studio City

A leading compounding pharmacy serving Studio City and neighboring cities, ABC Compounding Pharmacy is located at 16311 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436. For more information about their services, contact them by phone at 818-783-0422 or visit their website at abccompounding.com.