How Estrogen Improves Health During Menopause

Estrogen is a crucial group of hormones, consisting of estradiol, estrone, and estriol. This hormone is produced and released into the body by the fat tissues, adrenal glands, and ovaries. When released, estrogen circulates through the bloodstream and binds to specific cellular receptors, impacting the health of a woman’s heart, brain, breasts, uterus, liver, and other soft tissues (Brinton, 2009).

Ways That Estrogen Influences Overall Health

Decreases Bad Cholesterol

Clinical research shows estrogen increases HDL (“good” cholesterol) and reduces LDL (“bad” cholesterol) (Manson et al., 2013). Estrogen also improves blood flow by dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure (Knowlton & Lee, 2012). It further reduces oxidative stress by eliminating free radicals that damage soft tissues and arteries.

Promotes a Healthy Urinary Tract

As estrogen levels decrease during menopause, the lining of the urethra thins, causing recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) in many women (Faubion et al., 2015). Although antibiotics are often used, long-term use can promote antibiotic resistance and cause side effects such as rashes and gastrointestinal irritation (Suckling et al., 2006).

Improves Skin Health

Declining estrogen reduces the skin’s ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness, wrinkles, and thinning (Brincat, 2000). Because estrogen supports collagen production and healing, reduced levels slow recovery from bruising and contribute to increased skin fragility (Phillips, 1993).

Provides Relief from Symptoms of Menopause

Fluctuating estrogen levels in peri- and post-menopause contribute to insomnia, weight gain, mood swings, anxiety, hot flashes, and headaches (Freeman et al., 2014). Low estrogen also affects cardiovascular, endocrine, and neurological systems, amplifying both physical and emotional symptoms (Brinton, 2009).

Additional Health Benefits of Estrogen During Menopause

Estrogen supports bone remodeling and slows the onset of osteoporosis, reducing fracture risk (Brinton, 2009). It also influences glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and brain function, helping maintain memory, mood stability, and cognitive clarity (Freeman et al., 2014). Supporting estrogen levels during menopause improves long-term metabolic, cognitive, and structural health outcomes.

How Providers Diagnose Estrogen Deficiency

Diagnosing estrogen deficiency requires a combination of symptom evaluation and laboratory testing. Providers commonly measure estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and metabolic markers to assess how declining estrogen impacts mood, weight, sleep, and urinary or cognitive health (Manson et al., 2013). This thorough clinical approach helps guide precise, safe, and personalized bioidentical hormone therapy.

How Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy Helps Maintain Health

Bio-identical hormones are structurally identical to natural human hormones and help restore physiological balance effectively (Files et al., 2011). Derived from plant sources such as soy and yams, these hormones mimic natural receptor activity to reduce symptoms and support healthier aging (Stute et al., 2022).

Bio-identical hormone therapy may help alleviate:

• Incontinence

• Migraines

• Night sweats and hot flashes

• Panic attacks, anxiety, mood swings

• UTIs

• Difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue

• Joint and muscle aches

If you want a natural, effective way to relieve menopause symptoms and support long-term health, bio-identical hormone therapy may be an ideal option (Stute et al., 2022).

References

Brincat, M. (2000). Hormone replacement therapy and the skin. Climacteric, 3(3), 165–171.
Brinton, R. D. (2009). Estrogen-induced plasticity and cognitive function. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 20(3), 82–91.
Faubion, S. S., Rullo, J. E., & Shuster, L. T. (2015). Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: Management strategies. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(9), 1280–1294.
Files, J. A., Ko, M. G., & Pruthi, S. (2011). Bioidentical hormone therapy: Clarifying misconceptions. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(7), 673–680.
Freeman, E. W., Sammel, M. D., & Lin, H. (2014). Associations of hormones and menopausal status with depressed mood in women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 99(3), 1211–1219.
Knowlton, A. A., & Lee, A. R. (2012). Estrogen and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 127(3–5), 204–210.
Manson, J. E., et al. (2013). Menopausal hormone therapy and long-term health outcomes. JAMA, 310(13), 1353–1368.
Phillips, T. J. (1993). Effects of estrogen on skin aging. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 29(5), 735–742.
Suckling, J., Lethaby, A., & Kennedy, R. (2006). Local oestrogen therapy for vaginal atrophy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Stute, P., Jaspers, L., & De Villiers, T. (2022). Bioidentical menopausal hormone therapy: Safety and efficacy update. Climacteric, 25(5), 456–465.