Meet Your Hormones: How Estrogen Affects the Menstrual Cycle
Estrogen plays a critical role in women's health, influencing everything from menstrual cycles to mood. Yet, it remains one of the most misunderstood hormones. In this post, we’ll begin to explore the multifaceted role of estrogen, exploring how it affects your body, how to recognize estrogen imbalances, and ways to support healthy estrogen levels.
What is Estrogen?
Estrogen is a hormone that’s crucial for various functions in the female body. It plays a central role in regulating the menstrual cycle, building up endometrium (the inner lining of your uterus), and influencing mood and energy levels. There are three types of estrogen made by your body: E1, E2, and E3. Creatively named, right?!
E1 is estrone - this is made from androstenedione (another hormone).
E2 is estradiol - this is the main form of estrogen in your reproductive years. Most of this is made in your ovaries.
E3 is estriol - this is the weakest estrogen, with very high amounts made by the placenta during pregnancy.
The Role of Estrogen in the Menstrual Cycle
1. Cycle Regulation
Estrogen’s role in regulating the menstrual cycle cannot be overstated. It works closely with two other hormones, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), both of which we’ve already covered in this #MeetYourHormones series. Here’s how it works:
During the early part of the cycle, FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles.
These follicles produce estrogen, the levels of which then rise and rise as the dominant follicle matures and produces more estrogen.
Once estrogen levels reach a critical threshold and remain there for around 48 hours, this triggers a surge of LH and FSH from the brain, which should trigger ovulation if all systems are functioning optimally.
This delicate balance ensures the regularity of your cycle, the timing of ovulation, and subsequently the length of your cycle.
2. Thickening the Uterine Lining (the Endometrium)
After your period has done its job of shedding the endometrium, estrogen helps rebuild the endometrial lining of the uterus, preparing it for potential pregnancy in a new cycle. Think of it like putting fresh sheets on a bed, making everything ready and comfortable for a possible embryo.
3. Influencing Mood and Energy Levels
Estrogen isn’t just about reproduction; it also significantly affects mood and energy. During the follicular phase (from menstruation to ovulation), rising estrogen levels are often associated with improved mood and increased energy. However, after ovulation, during the luteal phase, estrogen levels drop, which can contribute to mood swings and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) if estrogen is dropping or fluctuating suboptimally, or if the ratio between estrogen and progesterone isn’t quite right (we’ll cover progesterone next in this series!).
Tracking these cyclical changes can help you and your healthcare provider address when and why the problem might be occurring, and address any issues.
Symptoms of Estrogen Imbalance
Estrogen levels fluctuate naturally throughout your menstrual cycle, but when they are high or low at the wrong time i your cycle, problems can arise. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step to restoring balance.
Symptoms of high estrogen:
Breast pain or swelling
Migraines and headaches before your period
Ovulatory pain
Uterine fibroids
Heavy periods
Emotional PMS symptoms
Short menstrual cycles (less than 25 days)
Endometriosis or adenomyosis
Spotting before your period
Symptoms of low estrogen:
Lack of ovulation
Long menstrual cycles
Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
Night sweats
Dry skin and eyes
Joint pain
Poor memory and cognitive function
Feelings of depression
Missing periods for three months or more
Common Estrogen-Related Issues
Two of the most common estrogen-related issues I see with clients are estrogen dominance and low estrogen.
1. Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen dominance refers to your luteal phase (the two or so weeks following ovulation and before your period). This happens when estrogen levels are higher than progesterone levels, which is the opposite of what should be happening during this phase. Causes include:
High estrogen production
Poor estrogen detoxification in the liver and gut
Low progesterone production
A combination of the above
All of those points have a list of potential causes of their own.
2. Low Estrogen
Low estrogen refers to when your estrogen levels are below what they should be in the context of that part of your cycle.
Balancing Estrogen Levels
Whether you’re dealing with high or low estrogen, there are several strategies you can use to restore balance.
To raise estrogen levels:
Incorporate foods rich in phytoestrogens, such as soy (as long as you’re not intolerant/allergic) and flaxseeds.
Ensure you’re getting enough nutrients, especially B vitamins and vitamin D.
Consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if you’re in perimenopause or post-menopause.
To lower estrogen levels:
Address blood sugar issues and insulin resistance.
Improve gut health to support estrogen detoxification.
Support liver function with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Check testosterone levels, as testosterone is the precursor to estradiol, the main form of estrogen in our reproductive years.
Conclusion
Understanding how estrogen works is crucial to managing your hormone health. By recognising the symptoms of imbalance and taking steps to support healthy levels, you can improve not only your menstrual health but also your overall wellbeing. If you’re struggling with estrogen-related issues, consider tracking your symptoms cyclically.
And for a more in-depth understanding of hormone health overall, take a look at the Period Education Masterclass. This is a one-hour masterclass packed with science-based insights and practical advice to help you understand your hormones and support a healthy menstrual cycle.
Any questions? Drop them in the comments or send me a message on Instagram @yoursettledspace.
