The Side Effects of Estradiol — When A Man’s Body Has Too Much Estrogen
The Side Effects of Estradiol
What happens when men’s bodies have too much estrogen? Follow this discussion of the side effects of estradiol and how it can affect you.
Feeling sluggish and drained? Struggling with mood swings and depression? Or perhaps you’re gaining weight despite eating healthy?
These signs may indicate high estrogen levels. Just like women, men produce estrogen, but in lower doses. When its levels go up, testosterone production drops.
Also known as estradiol, this hormone supports bone health and metabolism. Too much of it may lead to weight gain, testosterone deficiency, and breast enlargement in men.
Estrogen levels in healthy women range from 30 to 370 pg/ml. Men only produce 15 to 60 pg/ml. Even the slightest imbalance can affect health and well-being.
The side effects of estradiol in men include muscle loss, fatigue, mood swings, and erectile dysfunction.
Fortunately, there are ways to balance your hormones and prevent these issues. The key is to keep your testosterone levels up, especially after the age of 30.
What Is Estradiol?
Estrogen or estradiol is the primary female sex hormone. It regulates bone metabolism, menstrual cycles, and reproductive function. It also gives women their female characteristics, such as smooth skin and wide hips.
Without estrogen, women would not be able to procreate. This hormone also protects against bone loss and osteoporosis.
About half of Caucasian women over 50 have low bone mass. This is due to the hormonal changes that occur during and after menopause. Thus, maintaining high estrogen levels is crucial to female health.
In men, estradiol regulates spermatogenesis, bone growth, and reproductive function. Since it’s not a male-specific hormone, its levels are lower than those in women. Too much estrogen may result in low testosterone, causing a chain reaction in the body.
As men age, their testosterone levels drop. At the same time, estradiol production goes up. This leads to hormonal imbalances and poor overall health.
The Side Effects of Estradiol in Men
When your body’s sex hormones are not in sync, you may experience weight gain and low libido. Poor sleep and memory lapses are common side effects of estradiol in men. Other symptoms include:
- Gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
- Reduced sex drive
- Fluid retention
- Abdominal obesity
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased muscle mass and strength
- Poor sports performance
- Anxiety and depression
- Irritability
- Reduced sperm count
- Hair loss
- Migraines
- Tiredness and lethargy
- Fluid retention
- Sluggish metabolism
If left untreated, this condition may increase your risk of diabetes and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Estrogen also promotes fat storage in the abdominal area, which contributes to heart disease.
Also known as visceral fat, this adipose tissue produces toxins that may cause cancer. Moreover, it contributes to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. In the long run, it triggers chronic inflammation and causes changes in the brain.
High estradiol levels can also affect your manhood and sex life. You may lose your interest in sex and have trouble maintaining erections. As your testosterone levels drop, the risk of infertility increases.
Estradiol and Athletic Performance
This hormone can take a toll on your body and impact physical performance. The side effects of estradiol in men include muscle loss, reduced strength, and poor mental focus. You’ll feel weaker overall and have a hard time building muscle.
Men are stronger and have a larger body frame than women due to their high testosterone levels. Testosterone deficiency, which is often caused by excess estrogen, can affect your gains. It also makes it harder to recover from training.
If you’re a pro athlete, staying lean is a must. High estrogen levels affect your body composition, making fat loss difficult.
Female athletes, for instance, have about eight percent body fat.
Male athletes can reach four percent body fat due to their low estrogen levels. They also have higher testosterone levels, which supports the growth of type II muscle fibers. This leads to greater strength and power.
Women have a larger proportion of type I muscle fibers. For this reason, they perform better at endurance sports, such as long-distance running.
Testosterone is crucial for muscle growth and repair. If its levels drop, you’ll lose your hard-earned muscle. This will result in a slower metabolism and weight gain. The less muscle you have, the fewer calories you’ll burn throughout the day.
To prevent testosterone decline, keep your estrogen levels low. A high-protein diet, strength training, and proper rest can make all the difference.
Simple Ways to Lower Your Estrogen Levels
Now that you know the side effects of estradiol, tweak your diet and training routine. The end goal is to boost your T levels and suppress estrogen.
First, cut back on phytoestrogens. These plant compounds occur naturally in various foods, such as:
- Soybeans
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Flax and sesame seeds
- Lentils
- Beer
- Wheat germ
- Carrots
- Licorice root
A diet high in phytoestrogens may lead to low sperm count, infertility, and breast cancer. Moreover, it messes up your hormones and accelerates cognitive decline.
These compounds mimic estrogen in your body. High estrogen levels impact testosterone production. Thus, it makes sense to ditch them from your diet.
Next, load up on testosterone boosting foods. Egg yolks, beef, and fatty fish can naturally raise your T levels.
For example, egg yolks contain saturated fat, which stimulates testosterone production. Oysters are high in zinc, a mineral that balances your hormones. Nuts and fatty fish boast large doses of omega-3s, which fight inflammation.
In a study, men who consumed olive oil as their main source of fat experienced a 17 percent increase in testosterone levels within two weeks.
An anti-estrogenic diet should include foods rich in monounsaturated and saturated fats. Protein, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D are essential too. Avoid sugar and processed foods at all costs.
For best results, lift heavy in the gym and limit cardio. Too much aerobic exercise can lower your T levels. Compound movements, such as the squat and bench press, boost testosterone production and keep estrogen levels low.
Wrapping Up
From weight gain to heart disease, the side effects of estradiol shouldn’t be taken lightly. This hormone can affect how you look and feel, and steal your manhood. If you’re an athlete, it’s even more important to keep your hormones in check.
Have you ever experienced hormonal disorders? Do you have any tips to boost testosterone production? Share them with us in the comments section below!
