Trouble sleeping at night and highly irritable? It could be your hormones at play.
For women going through menopause and even perimenopause, (that time before menopause), lowering estrogen levels are a reality. You can experience low estrogen at other times, too, if you’re breastfeeding, if you have ovarian cysts, have a thyroid disorder, if you’re on a low estrogen birth control pill, or if you’re simply prone to genetically low levels of the hormone in your body.
How can you tell your estrogen is sinking to deep depths? There are some symptoms that could be indicators. If you think you’re suffering needlessly, talk to your doctor to find possible solutions.
Here are 5 signs of low estrogen:
1) A Dry Vagina and Eyes
Is sex painful? Low estrogen levels can dry out the lubrication in your vagina, making sexual encounters much less pleasant. If you find you need to use lube frequently, it could be a sign.
2) Low Sex Drive
Almost every aging woman will tell you this is true. Not all women, but many experience a dive in their sex drive that accompanies plumeting estrogen. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, this could be part of nature. If you find that your sex drive is negligent and you’re in your 20s however, you may want to have things checked out.
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3) Trouble Sleeping
Estrogen has been shown to protect women against developing sleep apnea. When it goes out the door, so can this protection. If your partner says you’re snoring and waking multiple times a night, hormones could be to blame.
4) No Period
If your period disappears, 9 times out of 10 your estrogen is low. Estrogen helps regulate the lining of your uterus, which is shed during your period.
5) Anxiety and Irritability
You may be feeling anxious about something in particular, and be easily irritated. Sometimes this is natural- life can be genuinely irritating and worrisome! But if you feel like you’ve changed and what once was no problem now sends you through the roof…well, enough said.
