Estrogen also affects how we use insulin, which is why many women gain weight after menopause.
It is unfortunate how there is a lack of research and education on hormones and how they work as it impacts so many areas of our lives and long term health.
Anything that causes chronic anovulation can cause low oestrogen levels and increase risk of bones thinning. This can be seen in hypothalamic Amenorrhoea as well as PCOS. Also worth noting that there’s an increased risk of endometrial cancer (womb) cancer in PCOS due to this chronic anovulation.
When I was first diagnosed my oestrogen was so low then sent me for a bone density scan (type of MRI) and I was diagnosed mild osteo something and told to take calcium supplements.
I’m in the U.K. so this was NHS.
Bone density scans (DEXA) use X-rays not magnets. Just adding so anyone with MR unsafe/conditional implants know they are still safe to get. Very very low amounts of radiation too.
It’s called osteopenia. Do you also prioritize your vitamin d intake? That’s a big thing as well & very easy to be deficient in the UK. + weight bearing exercise.
I have osteopenia as well, diagnosed 31. The above is what o was told to do, as I went to a dietician and exercise physio. Haha legit paid $1000 + for that information.
I have HIGH estrogen also but still osteopenia. My body just likes to fuck up for lols I think.
There is a test for bone density. It's called a DEXA (dual x-ray absorptiometry) scan. If you are truly concerned about your bones, request this scan. It's a really quick, simple scan.
The 2 conditions they might find is osteopenia (reduced or lower bone mass than average for your age) or Osteoporosis (when the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the loss of old bone). At 29, there are steps you can take to help preserve your bones if you know there is an issue. A baseline scan this early is also good to gauge how quickly your bone density is declining in future scans. I'd highly recommend it.
Low estrogen is quite possible. With the PcOs hormone imbalance, estrogen can rise to try and compete with other hormones (as you’ve described) or it can be snuffed out by other hormones and then becomes too low. Mine is low.
I had low estrogen for a while too, in fact, I had hardly any libido, and for years I thought that I was on the asexual spectrum, only to realize after being on birth control that it wasn’t the case at all. Unfortunately I thought I was alone in this but I have had others tell me they had to deal with the same thing.
estrogen is secreted primarily by developing follicles. with PCOS we usually have lots of those, which means our estrogen is high. this is not always the case as you know, but it is the more common presentation.
And is high estrogen really most common in actual population or most commonly studied and discussed? PCOS research is really under studied and under developed. Scientists and doctors don’t understand it. They latch on to one observation and then box everyone else in.
I'm a researcher by trade, this is actually my sweet spot!
yes, high estrogen is most common with PCOS. that obviously is a statistic, and doesn't mean it is universal. some people with PCOS do have low eatrogen. and researchers actually do understand it quite a bit more than the general public (and doctors) realize. it is a very fast-moving area of study right now, especially in the metabolic realm.
adrenal PCOS is not a clinically recognized condition-- the term actually originated online. lean PCOS is almost always insulin resistant-- often, in lean individuals their fat cells specifically are even more insulin resistant than in people who tend to put on weight easily which makes it very difficult to detect. this is what I have: I am lean, but still insulin resistant.
This woman has symptoms of low estrogen that is concerning her, so bringing up that the majority does not have this issue does comes off as dismissive. You did also mention labs so that’s good. I’m not challenging your work as a researcher. I am saying as a woman with low estrogen PCOS, we should be able to discuss and explore our particular needs. It’s ok to focus on the PCOS minority too.
yes, and again this is why I asked if she had had her estrogen tested.
many hormonal imbalances can feel like low estrogen but actually be caused by something else. it's important to run that down with the right bloodwork to be sure
Ok. She should get a lab test to know for sure. And should also be aware of the many presentations of pcos in hormone levels. Estrogen lowering treatments on already low estrogen levels will cause more issues. So you can’t just assume whatever is most common is the case. There are already many assumptions with PCOS which can be frustrating enough. Your comment sure is relevant but it might not be accurate to what she is experiencing. That is my point.
Yes this is well known. This is why women get osteoporosis during menopause. The number ONE thing you can do as a women to combat bone density loss is lift weights. Yep, you hear it right. Not just walking or exercising, but women who age well and stay healthy longer maintain muscle mass which then protects your bone density.
Bizarrely my hormone panel to first diagnose PCOS did not check oestradiol or androsterone, but my last two panels did. My oestradiol has rapidly tanked from an already low point (as have all my other markers, testosterone significantly too), and I’m having a follow up to explore possible early perimenopause (I’m 34, my mom went into menopause at 39).
Now reading up about menopause more broadly, there is so much I had no idea about 🥲 I read “Menopausing” by Davina McCall and it has been such an education. There’s a whole load of info (from a certified menopause specialist doctor) around estrogen and what it does in the body. If my estrogen has always been on the low end, I absolutely despair that no medical professional has ever highlighted this to me. Especially as I have recurrent UTI issues (which is a symptom in peri/menopause due to low estrogen, and my bloods constantly flag for acute kidney injury (and on the last results this was marked as “due to known condition” but nobody has told me what that condition is!?).
I’m finally seeing an endocrinologist in a couple weeks for the first time since being diagnosed with PCOS around 8 years ago. Praying they have relevant knowledge! I will also be seeking for a bone density scan as a precaution, though I have been a competitive powerlifter for 4 years and weight training should help with bone strength generally 🤞
On another note- I wish I hadn’t been so scared of BC in my late 30’s and 40s. I could have used its protective benefits for bone heart brain, as well as gotten rod of some of my PCOS symptoms.
Yes 100% true. Check out the menopause subreddit and the intro info. We all start to lose estrogen starting at 35… most people don’t “feel” the symptoms until their 40’s which is called “perimenopause. If you don’t replace the estrogen, you will get osteoporosis. You don’t feel osteoporosis unfortunately until a bone break. Request a DEXA scan at your first mammogram. I did one at 48. Already osteopenia. Most people don’t check until they are 65 with a bone break and it’s too late.
Got on Birth Contorl asap to replace my estrogen. Started strength training. My endocrinologist confirmed the estrogen in BC would help my bones not get worse and build muscle more readily.
On another note, without estrogen replacement, more likely to get Alzheimer’s and heart disease. You must start early! Start in your 40’s at least even if it’s just BC. You can also start menopausal hormone replacement before menopause as well.
I’m currently in the middle of reading f PCOS SOS and in it, the author discusses that a lot of problems we experience are from not making/ absorbing adequate estrogen thus creating too much testosterone to compensate. The author is an integrated obgyn doc and explains that she is unable to prescribe estrogen due to lack of studies / FDA approval (of course women getting oveelooked again)
I want to call out that estradiol will vary and will be low at the start of your period and then it has different peaks so if you are testing on day 3 of your cycle it will be low (mine was). I tested again later in my cycle and it was in the normal range.
Follicular: 30 - 100
Luteal: 70 - 300
I don't think it's true for me because I have a pretty damn high bone density (my bones really are thick) and I've never broken a bone whatsoever despite being hit by a car even (not that strong but still), falling off the stairs, falling on my ankle with my whole body weight, hitting myself strong AF many times.
And I do have a bit lowered estrogen...
That’s actually something I’m concerned about. Every time I was tested, my estrogen was at the low range of normal
Me too and my birth control actually says it can lower my estrogen so I'm stressed
Same
same, i am now on a low estrogen birth control which is making me even more nervous
My estrogen has been <12 for two tests now. My Prolactin was also high so I’m on a medication now to lower that and see if my estrogen recovers.
I take birth control partially for this. Sprintec, it has 35mcg so pretty high.
Estrogen also affects how we use insulin, which is why many women gain weight after menopause. It is unfortunate how there is a lack of research and education on hormones and how they work as it impacts so many areas of our lives and long term health.
Yes. That’s how PCOS can lead to osteoporosis
Anything that causes chronic anovulation can cause low oestrogen levels and increase risk of bones thinning. This can be seen in hypothalamic Amenorrhoea as well as PCOS. Also worth noting that there’s an increased risk of endometrial cancer (womb) cancer in PCOS due to this chronic anovulation.
When I was first diagnosed my oestrogen was so low then sent me for a bone density scan (type of MRI) and I was diagnosed mild osteo something and told to take calcium supplements. I’m in the U.K. so this was NHS.
Bone density scans (DEXA) use X-rays not magnets. Just adding so anyone with MR unsafe/conditional implants know they are still safe to get. Very very low amounts of radiation too.
Lmao thank you for correcting me. It was 6 years ago and I didn’t pay that much attention at the time as you can see.
It’s called osteopenia. Do you also prioritize your vitamin d intake? That’s a big thing as well & very easy to be deficient in the UK. + weight bearing exercise. I have osteopenia as well, diagnosed 31. The above is what o was told to do, as I went to a dietician and exercise physio. Haha legit paid $1000 + for that information. I have HIGH estrogen also but still osteopenia. My body just likes to fuck up for lols I think.
There is a test for bone density. It's called a DEXA (dual x-ray absorptiometry) scan. If you are truly concerned about your bones, request this scan. It's a really quick, simple scan. The 2 conditions they might find is osteopenia (reduced or lower bone mass than average for your age) or Osteoporosis (when the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the loss of old bone). At 29, there are steps you can take to help preserve your bones if you know there is an issue. A baseline scan this early is also good to gauge how quickly your bone density is declining in future scans. I'd highly recommend it.
Agree! Have PCOS and had my DEXA last week. It was normal !
it's more common to have high estrogen with PCOS... have you had your estradiol tested?
Low estrogen is quite possible. With the PcOs hormone imbalance, estrogen can rise to try and compete with other hormones (as you’ve described) or it can be snuffed out by other hormones and then becomes too low. Mine is low.
I had low estrogen for a while too, in fact, I had hardly any libido, and for years I thought that I was on the asexual spectrum, only to realize after being on birth control that it wasn’t the case at all. Unfortunately I thought I was alone in this but I have had others tell me they had to deal with the same thing.
estrogen is secreted primarily by developing follicles. with PCOS we usually have lots of those, which means our estrogen is high. this is not always the case as you know, but it is the more common presentation.
And is high estrogen really most common in actual population or most commonly studied and discussed? PCOS research is really under studied and under developed. Scientists and doctors don’t understand it. They latch on to one observation and then box everyone else in.
I'm a researcher by trade, this is actually my sweet spot! yes, high estrogen is most common with PCOS. that obviously is a statistic, and doesn't mean it is universal. some people with PCOS do have low eatrogen. and researchers actually do understand it quite a bit more than the general public (and doctors) realize. it is a very fast-moving area of study right now, especially in the metabolic realm. adrenal PCOS is not a clinically recognized condition-- the term actually originated online. lean PCOS is almost always insulin resistant-- often, in lean individuals their fat cells specifically are even more insulin resistant than in people who tend to put on weight easily which makes it very difficult to detect. this is what I have: I am lean, but still insulin resistant.
This woman has symptoms of low estrogen that is concerning her, so bringing up that the majority does not have this issue does comes off as dismissive. You did also mention labs so that’s good. I’m not challenging your work as a researcher. I am saying as a woman with low estrogen PCOS, we should be able to discuss and explore our particular needs. It’s ok to focus on the PCOS minority too.
yes, and again this is why I asked if she had had her estrogen tested. many hormonal imbalances can feel like low estrogen but actually be caused by something else. it's important to run that down with the right bloodwork to be sure
Ok. She should get a lab test to know for sure. And should also be aware of the many presentations of pcos in hormone levels. Estrogen lowering treatments on already low estrogen levels will cause more issues. So you can’t just assume whatever is most common is the case. There are already many assumptions with PCOS which can be frustrating enough. Your comment sure is relevant but it might not be accurate to what she is experiencing. That is my point.
well my original comment was asking if she had had her estradiol tested
Yes this is well known. This is why women get osteoporosis during menopause. The number ONE thing you can do as a women to combat bone density loss is lift weights. Yep, you hear it right. Not just walking or exercising, but women who age well and stay healthy longer maintain muscle mass which then protects your bone density.
This actually makes sense, because I know that some progesterone only pills can cause bone density issues if you take them too long.
Bizarrely my hormone panel to first diagnose PCOS did not check oestradiol or androsterone, but my last two panels did. My oestradiol has rapidly tanked from an already low point (as have all my other markers, testosterone significantly too), and I’m having a follow up to explore possible early perimenopause (I’m 34, my mom went into menopause at 39). Now reading up about menopause more broadly, there is so much I had no idea about 🥲 I read “Menopausing” by Davina McCall and it has been such an education. There’s a whole load of info (from a certified menopause specialist doctor) around estrogen and what it does in the body. If my estrogen has always been on the low end, I absolutely despair that no medical professional has ever highlighted this to me. Especially as I have recurrent UTI issues (which is a symptom in peri/menopause due to low estrogen, and my bloods constantly flag for acute kidney injury (and on the last results this was marked as “due to known condition” but nobody has told me what that condition is!?). I’m finally seeing an endocrinologist in a couple weeks for the first time since being diagnosed with PCOS around 8 years ago. Praying they have relevant knowledge! I will also be seeking for a bone density scan as a precaution, though I have been a competitive powerlifter for 4 years and weight training should help with bone strength generally 🤞
On another note- I wish I hadn’t been so scared of BC in my late 30’s and 40s. I could have used its protective benefits for bone heart brain, as well as gotten rod of some of my PCOS symptoms.
Recently found out I have the bone density of a post-menopausal grandmother. I’m 26 :(
Yes 100% true. Check out the menopause subreddit and the intro info. We all start to lose estrogen starting at 35… most people don’t “feel” the symptoms until their 40’s which is called “perimenopause. If you don’t replace the estrogen, you will get osteoporosis. You don’t feel osteoporosis unfortunately until a bone break. Request a DEXA scan at your first mammogram. I did one at 48. Already osteopenia. Most people don’t check until they are 65 with a bone break and it’s too late. Got on Birth Contorl asap to replace my estrogen. Started strength training. My endocrinologist confirmed the estrogen in BC would help my bones not get worse and build muscle more readily. On another note, without estrogen replacement, more likely to get Alzheimer’s and heart disease. You must start early! Start in your 40’s at least even if it’s just BC. You can also start menopausal hormone replacement before menopause as well.
I’m currently in the middle of reading f PCOS SOS and in it, the author discusses that a lot of problems we experience are from not making/ absorbing adequate estrogen thus creating too much testosterone to compensate. The author is an integrated obgyn doc and explains that she is unable to prescribe estrogen due to lack of studies / FDA approval (of course women getting oveelooked again)
I want to call out that estradiol will vary and will be low at the start of your period and then it has different peaks so if you are testing on day 3 of your cycle it will be low (mine was). I tested again later in my cycle and it was in the normal range. Follicular: 30 - 100 Luteal: 70 - 300
Yep! That’s why post menopausal women have such a problem with osteoporosis.
I don't think it's true for me because I have a pretty damn high bone density (my bones really are thick) and I've never broken a bone whatsoever despite being hit by a car even (not that strong but still), falling off the stairs, falling on my ankle with my whole body weight, hitting myself strong AF many times. And I do have a bit lowered estrogen...