Estradiol effects
Estradiol has an ill-deserved bad name Lets review some of the positive effects estradiol has on the body!
Estradiol is the body’s natural hormone that generally start to decline at age 45 and beyond. It has multiple effects including….
Increases good cholesterol (HDL)
Decreases LDL (bad cholesterol)
Decreases Triglycerides
Acts as an antioxidant protecting the body from toxins.
Helps maintain normal bone structure.
Increases serotonin (Happy hormone) therefore improving depression, irritability, anxiety and pain sensitivity.
Improves energy.
Maintains memory- It stimulates the production of the brain enzyme that prevents Alzheimer’s (choline acetyl transferase) Helps with reasoning and new ideas.
Improves metabolism and therefore weight control at optimal levels.
Improves insulin sensitivity and hence sugar metabolism, lowers diabetic risk 21 %.
Lowers blood pressure and decreases sympathetic tone.
Helps to maintain muscle, helps with fine motor skills.
Improves sleep.
Helps to burn off abdominal fat in proper doses.
Maintain elasticity of arteries and improves blood flow, protects the vascular lining (endothelium)
Inhibits blood stickiness (platelets)
Helps to maintain youthful skin. Improves its collagen and water content responsible for its thickness and softness, therefore decreasing wrinkles,
Improves sexual interest.
Deficiency symptoms include- droopy small breasts, fatigue, moodiness, hot flashes, poor sleep, memory change, hair loss, weight gain, depression, poor libido, irregular cycles, achiness, cystitis, bladder prolapse, vaginal and skin dryness, facial hair and acne.
Treatment is available in various forms.
Oral preparations have the downside of metabolism directly through the liver. This can increase inflammation and glucose intolerance.
Transdermal preparations are available- this can be effective in some patients, but it runs the downside of transmissibility to other people. Absorption and levels can be limited.
Pellets provide convenience and efficacy and avoid the negatives above. Downside is expense.
In some cases, injections are an alternative, downsides include the fact that it requires an injection and lability of levels