Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

Oestrogen: a hormone for women and men

What separates the girls from the boys? From a physical perspective, it all boils down to hormones. The glands all over your body secrete substances which have an effect on how your organ system behaves; either in a positive or negative way.

Although oestrogen is a female hormone, a man’s body also makes oestrogen; but at a lower level.

Oestrogen is a group of sex hormones that help with the development and maintenance of female characteristics in the human body. So, your hormones act like messengers, that tell specific tissues in your body to behave a certain way. Amazing, right? Oestrogen is one of the most important hormones for women, along with progesterone which maintains pregnancies and implants an egg in the uterus (womb).

How does this hormone work?

Oestrogen is responsible for the development of breasts, pubic and arm pit hairs, endometrium (mucous membrane that lines the inside of the uterus) and the regulation of a menstrual cycle. It’s an important hormone for the reproductive function and cycle of a woman.

In women, oestrogen circulates in the bloodstream and binds to oestrogen receptors on cells in targeted tissues. This doesn’t just affect your breasts and uterus, but the brain, heart, liver, bones and other tissues too.

The hormone controls the growth of the uterine lining during the first part of your menstrual cycle. It effects changes in the breasts during puberty and pregnancy; and regulates metabolic processes like bone growth and cholesterol levels too.

What about in men?

In their teenage years, men have high levels of testosterone and low levels of oestrogen. As men age, oestrogen increases and testosterone decreases. This is due to aromatase: an enzyme that converts testosterone into oestrogen. Aromatase is most commonly found in fat cells, so the more body fat a man has, especially in the midsection, the more aromatase, which leads to an increase in oestrogen.

What happens if there’s a dysfunction?

For women
Symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Mood swings
  • Increased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
  • Swelling and tenderness in the breasts
  • Low libido
  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Cold hands or feet
  • Hair loss
  • Weight gain
  • Lack of energy and exhaustion
  • Memory difficulties

For men

If a man’s oestrogen levels increase significantly he may begin to experience unusual symptoms. High oestrogen in men results in:

  • Infertility: Sperm levels in semen may decrease. This can lead to fertility issues. Oestrogen is partly responsible for creating healthy sperm.
  • Breasts: Men with too much oestrogen may start to develop larger breasts.
  • Erectile dysfunction: Sexual function may be disturbed when testosterone and oestrogen levels are not balanced. This will cause difficulties in getting or maintaining an erection.

Balance your hormones

  • Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a recommended form of treatment to treat a hormonal imbalance. Your doctor will do blood tests to determine hormone levels. If there’s a deficiency or imbalance, BHRT is recommended to safely balance the levels.
  • Exercise is also important for your overall health and mental state. It helps keep cortisol (stress hormone) levels low and counter the effects of stress.
  • Eat clean! Junk, greasy and fast foods can increase hormone imbalances because of excess storage of fat in the body.

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Ladies, here’s how to light the fire in the bedroom

It’s normal to feel a dip in your sex drive as you get older. As life and work takes its toll, the occasional drop in your hormones is perfectly common. Before beating yourself up about it, let’s get a better understanding for why this happens:

  • Stress & sleep. Stressful events can take over your everyday life, and can drain the sexual energy right out of you – more so if you’re not getting enough sleep. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that a good night’s rest greatly enhances a woman’s sex drive. So, the more you sleep, the better your sex life.
  • Sickness & PMS. You won’t be feeling too sexy when your nose is running and the pile of tissues next to your bed grows exponentially. Likewise, PMS may leave you temporarily uninterested in sex. But more serious illnesses like hypothyroidism, diabetes, cancer, heart and lung disorders, and STIs could also be responsible for the drop in your sex drive. If you suspect something more serious, make an appointment with your doctor.
  • Medication. Before you pop that headache tablet, consider it might be reason for your disinterest in sex. Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can decrease your sexual appetite. These include antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood pressure medications. Ask your doctor about any side-effects of medication.
  • Life-events. If you’ve recently married, ended a relationship, changed jobs or moved, you may be mentally and physically out of sorts. Lifestyle changes are yet another form of stress, and even if they’re positive ones, they can sometimes adversely affect your sex life.
  • Ageing. While some studies have revealed that sexual responsiveness may get better with age, hormonal imbalances in perimenopausal and menopausal women lead to a diminished sex drive. Some women may have an aversion to touch, and intercourse can be painful from vaginal dryness caused by a drop in oestrogen.

Light up your libido

Learning to love your body is probably one of the best ways of developing a strong sense of sexuality. If you feel uncomfortable with your physical self, you may hide your body from your partner, which can lead to a slow-down in sexual activity. Explore ways of building your body confidence; maybe take a dance class or splash out on some sexy lingerie.

Allowing yourself to explore a new erotic desire or fantasy can also spark newfound interest in sex. Be bold, think out loud with your partner: what is your absolute sexual fantasy? Now’s the time to try things out!

Food can play a role in getting your libido revved up again. Some research shows that red meat, particularly grass-fed beef, is a prime source of zinc which is said to up testosterone levels, while minimising prolactin (a hormone that affects sexual function). Other sexy foods include:

  • Salmon: Boosts blood flow to the genitals.
  • Chocolate: One of the most famous aphrodisiacs! Go for dark chocolate for an extra feelgood boost.
  • (A little) wine: A Journal of Sexual Medicine study found that a glass of red wine can heighten sexual desire in women. Wine has antioxidants that trigger nitric oxide production in the blood, which relaxes artery walls.

Talking about your sexual discontent with a trusted friend, your partner, an online support group or a good therapist can help you sort out some of the emotional or psychological issues that might be causing you grief. Sexual disinterest that stems from a physical problem, like a hormone imbalance, or depression, may need to be treated with medication. Don’t be shy about speaking to one of our doctors: we’re here to support you with trusted advice!

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Can depression affect my sex life?

You feel sad, numb and listless, and your depression is starting to affect your partner. Your sex life is nearly non-existent and intimacy feels unreachable.

Feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness are typical features of depression. These feelings can have an effect on your everyday life. If you’re depressed and have lost interest in sex, don’t worry – you are not alone. It’s important to understand that this lack of interest is as much a symptom of depression as feeling low. Continue reading “Can depression affect my sex life?”