Life before and After Oestrogen

What is Oestrogen’s main job?

So we all know that oestrogen is an important hormone in terms of the reproductive system and fertility, and before menopause it is made mainly in the ovaries. Put simply, it’s responsible by thickening the lining of the uterus each month ready for a fertilised egg. It helps mature the eggs waiting to be fertilized and sends one down the fallopian tube. Oestrogen helps to kickstart the menstrual cycle each month. It sends messages to other hormones so they can do their job. If an egg isn’t fertilised oestrogen levels drop, the uterine lining is shed and menstruation occurs. If an egg is fertilised, pregnancy occurs. If this occurs oestrogen works to support the pregnancy.

What are Oestrogens’ other roles?

Did you know that oestrogen does more than regulate your menstrual cycle? It has other jobs to do. Before the menopause transition begins it gives a strong protection against several health issues:

• It protects our heart by keeping blood vessels flexible.

• It protects our bones by helping bind calcium to them.

• Oestrogen plays a role in mood regulation and may have some protective effects on memor (research on this subject is ongoing).

• It also supports the health of the urinary system and the genitals.

During the menopause transition levels of oestrogen and other hormones fluctuate which is why we experience symptoms of varying kinds in varying degrees of intensity. The ovaries are winding down to stop making the female hormones. Postmenopause we still have some level of oestrogen but is produced from other hormones called androgens, which are generated in the adrenal glands located just above the kidneys.

Life after Oestrogen

So, post menopause, we no longer have the protection of oestrogen which is why it is just as important, if not more important, to pay attention to our bodies and look after our body, brain and gut.

During menopause and after menopause, due to lower oestrogen, various things may happen:

• We can lose the flexibility of blood vessels, potentially affecting heart health in a negative way. This is why you often hear that below the age of 50 women are less likely than men to have a heart attack, after menopause women have almost the same risk.

• Bone density can decrease, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

• Declining levels of oestrogen before, during and after menopause can affect memory and may increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Lisa Mosconi has done a lot of research on Brain Health during Menopause. If you want to dig deeper check out her book “The XX Brain”.

• Post-menopausal women may experience vaginal atrophy (the walls of the vagina become dry, thin and a bit fragile), and an overactive bladder (that explains all the trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night!!).

• Oestrogen also helps the skin to produce oil and retain water keeping it moisturized so when oestrogen drops it is common to experience dry itchy skin.

• The drop in oestrogen can cause a reduction in collagen (a protein which gives your skin structure and firmness) and elastin (which gives your skin some stretchiness and allows it to bounce back ie when you smile or frown), leading to drier skin and can exacerbate conditions like eczema, and those damn wrinkles!!

• Oh and here’s one many of us worry about…. Oestrogen helps to decide where to distribute fat around the body. However, without the help of oestrogen our body decides to store more of the fat in the abdominal area. It’s a bit like my filing system, there is a place for everything but generally I just have one big pile in the middle!!

Conclusion

From this we can understand that it’s important, not just to manage our symptoms throughout menopause, it’s how to negate the effects of the loss of oestrogen throughout the rest of our lives to make sure this third chapter in our lives is as enjoyable and healthy as possible.

Forewarned is forearmed I always say!! And knowing the above helps to realise that it’s not just us its happening to and that there is an explanation for why these things are happening. It’s also useful to note that the effects of the actual menopause transition don’t just end 12 months after our last period. While certain aspects may be unavoidable, proactive measures can significantly alter their impact.

Understanding the changes our bodies go through, especially with the ebb and flow of oestrogen, can be life changing. If you're navigating through menopause or post-menopause and seeking a balanced approach to wellness, I'm here to help. Let’s explore personalised strategies to support your body, mind, and spirit during this natural transition. Your journey to embracing change and nurturing well-being starts with a simple conversation. Feel free to reach out.

Just a note to end on. I have not tried HRT so have no anecdotal experience of this and obviously it can help with the symptoms you may be experiencing. If you think that HRT is what you might need please do your research, speak to a medical specialist (or two) who may know more than your family doctor, ask about side effects and risks. HRT isn’t a one size fits all treatment so you need to make sure you get the right type and dosage.