Why Estrogen Matters to Men
High estrogen levels can contribute to andropause symptoms and endanger your health
If looking and feeling better wasn’t reason enough to start an andropause treatment program, here’s another reason: do it for your health. Letting your hormones run wild as you age can be a dangerous proposition, especially if levels of both testosterone and estrogen are not properly controlled.
Wait a minute, you might be saying…I know I need testosterone, but isn’t estrogen a female hormone? Why should men be worried about estrogen? The fact of the matter is that estrogen is a natural and necessary hormone for men too. The difference is that men only need a small amount of estrogen. Allowing estrogen to increase to unsafe levels can contribute to andropause symptoms and endanger your health.
Symptoms of High Estrogen
The symptoms of high estrogen and low testosterone often go hand in hand, because high estrogen often occurs after a decrease in testosterone production has caused men to become less active and to acquire deposits of belly fat. This fat contains an enzyme that allows testosterone to be converted to estrogen, further unbalancing your hormone levels. If you are suffering from high estrogen in addition to low T you may experience:
- Sore nipples
- Swollen breasts
- Water retention
- Reduced sex drive
- Prostate swelling
Health Risks Associated with High Estrogen
Unhealthy estrogen levels can pose significant health risks in two main ways. First , excess estrogen can cause abnormal clot formations; elevated triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and arterial hypertension; and increased risk of stroke or heart disease. Secondly, excess estrogen can be metabolized into a carcinogen that can cause prostate cancer.
How We Manage Estrogen Levels
Because testosterone can be converted to estrogen in overweight men, it is both unsafe and ineffective to treat andropause with a simple testosterone replacement therapy. Instead, steps need to be taken to ensure healthy levels of both testosterone and estrogen. At Renew Man™, our doctors use a multi-faceted approach to estrogen management as a part of our proven andropause treatment program. The key components include:
- Assessing all new clients individually to determine their current hormone levels and degree of risk for estrogen conversion
- Recommending a supplement (DIM) to help ensure estrogen is metabolized safely in the body
- Prescribing an estrogen blocker to suppress estrogen conversion
- Recommending a diet and exercise plan to eliminate belly fat, which will help prevent testosterone from being metabolized into estrogen
- Monitoring estrogen and testosterone levels to ensure healthy levels of each hormone
- Taking patients off estrogen blockers once estrogen conversion has been controlled
If you’d like to learn more about our treatment program or find a Renew Man™ doctor near you, please contact us now.
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