Often, female hormones get a bad rap, but in reality, they are crucial for multiple aspects of our health beyond just fertility.
The Role of Oestrogen
Oestrogen (or estrogen for my American friends) is the main female hormone, and males have a little too. While oestrogen is critical for female fertility, it also has many other important and beneficial roles in the body. We often hear about its impact on bone health, but here are some other great benefits:
- Cardiovascular Health: Oestrogen lowers bad cholesterol, helps maintain normal blood pressure, and is protective against heart disease. This is why coronary artery disease (heart attacks) in females is relatively rare before menopause, but levels start to become similar to males as people get older.
- Muscle Mass and Weight Management: Oestrogen helps maintain muscle mass and prevents weight gain around the waist, which is the type of weight gain most associated with disease.
- Glucose Metabolism: Oestrogen promotes glucose uptake into muscle cells, helping to prevent insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This is also beneficial for athletic performance.
- Cognitive Function: Oestrogen is important for cognitive function, aiding in complex tasks and memory. Observational studies have shown an association between premature menopause and an increased risk of dementia.
- Pelvic and Vaginal Health: Oestrogen supports the pelvic floor and keeps the vaginal canal healthy, preventing urinary tract infections. This is why oestrogen pessaries are sometimes used for women after menopause who experience recurrent urinary tract infections or uncomfortable vaginal dryness.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Oestrogen and female hormones are incredibly beneficial to multiple aspects of your health. Hormone replacement is recommended for women who experience menopause before 45 and is considered on an individual risk/benefit analysis for women with menopause symptoms who are younger than 60 or less than 10 years post-menopause. Younger women with low oestrogen for other reasons, such as Turner syndrome, should also have oestrogen replacement. It should also be considered in cases of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, especially for bone health.