High Estrogen in Men Treatment: Restore Your Hormonal Balance
What is Estrogen?
Estrogen is a hormone responsible for many reproductive and non-reproductive functions. In men, it is made by the conversion of testosterone (the famous “male sex hormone”). So, it is produced in the testes and is found in semen as well. But not just that, it is also found in the brain, skin, and bones.
What Does High Estrogen In Men Mean?
The hormone estrogen isn’t bad in itself, it has many important roles to play. But when a man has excess estrogen, it becomes a problem. Especially estradiol (a form of estrogen) should be maintained at healthy levels. Otherwise, you may experience some physical and emotional effects.
Too much estrogen can interfere with masculine traits. It may affect male sexuality or even overall health. However, the condition could be either temporary or chronic. We will discuss its effects and symptoms in detail later in this blog.
What are the Causes of High Estrogen Levels in Males?
Some of the causes of increased estrogen levels in men are:
- Excess fat: Body fat cells have the ability to convert testosterone into estrogen. Testosterone behaves as the principal male hormone within the human body. This conversion process is scientifically called aromatization. Therefore, a surplus of body fat has the potential to increase estrogen concentrations in a man’s body.
- Aging: As men get older, their bodies naturally produce less testosterone. However, their estrogen levels tend to stay about the same. This difference in hormone levels can create an imbalance. Then this imbalance can lead to even higher amounts of estrogen in their body than testosterone.
- Medications: Some medicines or drugs can create hormone imbalances in the body. These include things like pills for sadness, medicines for fungus, and muscle-building hormones. When this happens, the amount of estrogen in the body can go up.
- Liver Disease: The liver helps metabolize hormones, including estrogen. If your liver is not healthy, it fails to break down hormones efficiently. Therefore, levels of estrogen can increase. Since alcohol damages the liver, it is best to limit its consumption.
What Are The Symptoms of High Estrogen in Men?
The normal level of estradiol hormone in men is 10-40 picograms per milliliter (pg/ml). When there is high estrogen in men, you may see these symptoms:
- Weight Gain: Weight gain can be a symptom of high estrogen levels in men. The connection between weight and estrogen is not always straightforward. Changes in hormones as men age can play a role in this symptom.
- Erectile Dysfunction: A small amount of estrogen helps men have normal erections. But if estrogen levels go up and testosterone drops, erectile dysfunction happens. High estrogen in men and low testosterone are linked to weaker erections.
- Low Sex Drive: Basically, when estrogen is high and testosterone is low, the desire for sex decreases. It can affect the brain’s signals that control sexual interest and response.
- Infertility: High estrogen can negatively affect sperm production. That is why, it becomes harder to conceive.
- Enlargement of Breast Tissue: This condition is also called gynecomastia. It is One of the most common signs of High levels of estrogen in men. Men may notice swelling or pain in the chest area (in the breast tissues) due to increased estrogen.
- Depression: Since estrogen affects brain function and changes in mood. It increases sensitivity, and makes you feel low. Eventually, in the long run it can even lead to depression.
- Loss of Energy: Hormones influence metabolism and how the body generates energy. As a result, it is common to feel constantly tired or lack motivation due to hormone changes.
- Decrease in Muscle Mass: If estrogen levels get too high, it messes up the balance with testosterone. When this happens, testosterone doesn’t work as well as it should. Because testosterone helps grow muscles, if it’s not working right, a man might lose muscle or find it harder to get stronger.
So, whenever you see symptoms of high estrogen in men you must consult a doctor.
How Can Estrogen Exist in Men?
Men and women have different ways of producing estrogen. In female bodies, this hormone is created mainly in the ovaries. While estrogen in men is produced in many parts by the enzyme called aromatase. It’s made in parts like fat, the liver, and adrenal glands (glands located on the top of each kidney). These parts help maintain healthy levels of estrogen in men. If there’s too much estrogen in a man’s system, doctors might give him aromatase inhibitors. Proper estrogen balance is essential for maintaining bone density, mood, and sexual development in men.
What Does Estrogen Do to a Man?
Balanced estrogen levels support these systems quietly in the background. However, when levels become too high or too low, they can disrupt these processes and lead to health issues.
- Bone and Muscle Health: Keeps bones strong by helping old bone tissue get replaced with new ones. It also keeps bones dense and healthy. It helps in muscle growth as well.
- Brain Function: Estrogen helps with the brain processes. That includes how you think, learn, remember, reason, solve problems, and understand the world around you. It affects how well you remember things. It also helps keep your feelings steady.
- Reproductive System: Estrogen is also important for a man’s sex drive. It supports the ability to get an erection (avoiding erectile dysfunction). It is needed for overall reproductive health by helping maintain the right hormonal balance.
- Sperm Support: It supports sperm in a few ways. Estrogen also plays a part in sperm production. It helps them grow properly and mature. It also helps them work the way they should.
- Heart Health and Energy Use: Estrogen helps keep cholesterol at healthy levels and keeps blood vessels working well. It helps the body use energy in a normal way, which is called metabolism.
Management and Treatment Options
There are certain lifestyle as well as medical steps that you can take to regulate estrogen in men. Below are some high estrogen in males treatment options:
Lifestyle Changes:
- Diet: Maintaining a good diet helps in managing estrogen levels. Try eating more fiber and less fat. Include broccoli, kale, mushrooms, red grapes, pomegranates, whole grains, and green tea in your meals.
- Exercise: Take up a regular physical exercise routine and practice daily. Physical activity helps manage weight and may reduce estrogen.
- Healthy Habits: Focus on reducing stress, as it is one of the major reasons for hormonal imbalances. Try limiting alcohol consumption as well. Taking good, long night sleep helps regulate your body clock and hormone levels.
- Avoid Certain Plastics: It’s wise to limit your contact with plastics that contain BPA and phthalates. These are chemicals found in some plastics that can potentially disrupt your hormone balance.
Medical Treatments:
- Medications: Doctors might prescribe certain drugs to help lower high estrogen levels:
- Aromatase inhibitors: These medications work by blocking the aromatase enzyme, thus reducing the body’s production of estrogen.
- Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs): These drugs can block the effects of estrogen in certain parts of the body.
- Multivitamins: Some multivitamins containing nutrients like folate, choline, B12, and betaine may help the body process and remove estrogen.
A Healthier Tomorrow Starts Today
So, yes, there is estrogen in men. It works wonders, but it should not exceed healthy limits in the body. Now you know which glands produce it and where in your body it is needed. Know the facts and make good lifestyle decisions. If you notice unusual changes in your body, don’t ignore them for too long. Reach out to us at Archish IVF, in case you face any of the symptoms mentioned above or are just curious to know more about estrogen’s role in the male body.
FAQs
You can check your estrogen levels at home using test kits. Choose a blood test or a urine test, whichever feels more comfortable for you.
Soy, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, dairy, and alcohol raise estrogen levels in men. processed foods also increase the level of estrogen in men.
In men, it is mainly made in fat tissue, the adrenal glands, and the testes.
He may notice breast growth, low sex drive, mood swings, or trouble with erections. It can also lower sperm count over time.
Some lifestyle changes, coupled with dietary habits, could help. In case you experience any unusual symptoms, consult our Archish IVF specialist for guidance.