I’m a Celeb: Caitlyn reveals she was on estrogen in the 80s

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Low oestrogen is common in menopausal women, but we also see it in young women of childbearing age, began Dr Vicki Peterson who spoke exclusively with Express.co.uk to offer her insight and tips on the condition. She continued: “Some people may experience symptoms like a UTI, painful intercourse and/or irritability, depression, and mood swings. The condition may be caused by malnutrition, an autoimmune disease, thyroid disease, long-term use of birth control pills or overexercising.”

According to Dr Peterson, lesser-known symptoms of the condition can include:

Weight gain

With insufficient oestrogen, your body burns and metabolizes starch and sugars less effectively.

The result is an increase in fat storage, decreased muscle mass and resultant weight gain, more predominantly in the abdomen.

Mood Swings and Depression

Oestrogen is a serotonin stabilizer.

When levels decrease you are more likely to experience depression, irritability and mood swings. 

Fatigue

Low oestrogen not only decreases your ability to deal with stress but also tends to burden your thyroid. The result is fatigue and lethargy.

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Urinary Tract Infections and Vaginal Dryness

Oestrogen is needed to keep the tissues of the vagina healthy and the mucus lining stable and healthy.

Lowered oestrogen levels not only result in vaginal dryness, but the reduced health of the mucus membranes open you up to opportunistic infection and can result in urinary tract infections.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats  

Lowered oestrogen affects your hypothalamus, the part of your brain that controls your internal temperature.

The result is hot flashes during the day and night sweats at night, resulting in disturbed sleep and insomnia.

Oestrogen is commonly associated with the female body; however, men also produce oestrogen, but women produce it in higher levels.

Oestrogen works in conjunction with calcium, vitamin D, and other minerals to keep bones strong. If your oestrogen levels are low, you may experience decreased bone density.

 B vitamins, vitamin D, the herb black cohosh, chasteberry, evening primrose oil, ginseng, magnesium, and maca root, are natural supplements and foods to help with low oestrogen, added Dr Peterson.

“Also reduce your caffeine intake and learn to manage your stress better.”

When asked what the best and worst foods are when it comes to low oestrogen levels, Dr Peterson advised the best foods are:

• Organic soy products that will tend to raise low oestrogen levels and decrease them if they’re high. 
• Flax seeds, sesame seeds
• Garbanzo beans 
• Garlic
• Whole grains such as oats, buckwheat (gluten-free)
• Dried fruit – apricots, prunes, dates, in moderation.

The worst foods are:

• Animal sources that tend to provide exogenous sources of oestrogens. Such meats and fish can contain high levels of hormones, antibiotics, PCBs and mercury, all endocrine disruptors which upset hormonal balance.
• Dairy products – irritating to the gut, inflammatory, and are rich in oestrogen-like hormones from the cow and often laden with antibiotic residue.
• Hard liquor – wine in moderation is fine
• GMO Soy – while organic soy is stabilising to your oestrogen levels, GMO soy will upset the natural balance.

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