You’ll take estrogen supplements only, with no progesterone. Vaginal estrogen — in the form of rings, creams, and vaginal inserts — are formulated to treat vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Providers prescribe the lowest doses possible to treat your symptoms while preventing side effects. Your provider will do a simple blood draw and send it to a lab for analysis. Low levels unrelated to menopause may be a sign of a condition. If you’re noticing a few of these symptoms together, it’s worth considering if low testosterone could be the cause. Low testosterone symptoms can develop slowly and be easy to overlook. In breast cancer, however, androgens may suppress growth when the ratio of AR/ERα signaling is low, but may promote growth when AR/ERα signaling is high. In the uterus, androgens may regulate parturition by modifying myometrial contractility and cervical remodeling. Estrogen inhibits excessive fat cell development and lipid synthesis in adipocytes and hepatocytes, thereby contributing to metabolic health. Thus, antiandrogen treatment holds promise for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, though randomized placebo-controlled studies are needed to truly address their benefit. Finally, a phase II trial using the CYP17 inhibitor abiraterone, which suppresses androgen production, in AR+, triple-negative breast cancer demonstrates a similar 6-month clinical benefit rate of 20% (120). While two out of these three are sufficient for diagnosis, the majority of PCOS patients have androgen excess and ovulatory dysfunction, and androgens are thought to be a critical mediator of the reproductive dysfunction (68). For example, the most common cause of infertility in women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by androgen excess, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, and polycystic ovaries. AR deficiency has less dramatic effects on the bones of female mice, but these mice still display reduced cortical bone mass and significantly altered cancellous bone architecture (66, 67). More than 98% of testosterone is bound to proteins, either tightly to sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) (about 66%) or weakly to other proteins such as albumin (about 33%) (59). In contrast, ERβ maintains epithelial differentiation while inhibiting proliferation caused by ERα, thereby promoting normal development and at least initially acting as a suppressor of prostate cancer development. When stressed, the body releases cortisol, which can interfere with testosterone production. Are there any specific foods that can help lower estrogen levels? Estrogen, primarily estradiol, is present in smaller amounts and plays a role in bone health and brain function. Men, like women, produce both testosterone and estrogen, albeit in different proportions. Discuss your medical history with your provider to identify opportunities to balance your hormones. Your provider can adjust your prescription if the hormones you’re taking are causing high estrogen. If you’re concerned about your estrogen levels, speak with an endocrinologist or a functional medicine specialist for help. However, increasing testosterone levels can sometimes lead to higher estrogen production due to aromatization. In that case, excess fat can actually begin producing excess estrogen beyond what a healthy male body normally produces. Much of the estradiol, a form of estrogen, found circulating in a man’s body is actually testosterone that has been converted by the enzyme called aromatase. Like estradiol, testosterone levels in women decrease with age, although postmenopausal serum testosterone levels drop only 2-fold, while estradiol levels drop 10-fold (88). More studies on androgen actions during pregnancy are needed; however, combined with the studies on ovarian function, androgens appear important for female reproduction from follicle development through parturition. These observations indicate that, in females, androgens may have estrogen-independent effects on bone metabolism and growth via the AR. Testosterone and estrogen have a delicate interplay in men’s bodies. Understanding these roles and clearing misconceptions is essential for effective hormone management. A common misconception is that more estrogen results in femininity or undesired physical changes. Despite its importance, estrogen is often misunderstood when it comes to men. Additionally, estrogen impacts mood and cognitive functions. Our expert staff look forward to helping you improve your quality of life, while keeping your overall health as our top priority. Frequent professional screening is part of our therapy process at Testosterone Centers of Texas (TCT). A 2018 study in 60 children found that testosterone levels in the womb may also affect how your right and left brain function. Research suggests that excessive alcohol consumption can decrease testosterone levels. Sleep quality may also have major effects on your testosterone levels.
