In an eggshell...
- Oestrogen's role in fertility and egg freezing: Oestrogen regulates the menstrual cycle, helps follicles mature, and is crucial for monitoring egg freezing cycles, indicating follicle development and ovarian response.
- Factors influencing oestrogen levels: Age, body weight, diet, stress, and conditions like PCOS affect oestrogen levels, which can impact reproductive health, including fertility and the effectiveness of egg freezing.
- Managing high and low oestrogen: Both high and low oestrogen levels can cause issues such as irregular cycles or mood changes, but lifestyle adjustments like diet, exercise, and stress management can help balance levels
Oestrogen Levels: How They Impact Fertility & Egg Freezing
Oestrogen is a steroid hormone that wears many hats 🎩.
Secreted by growing follicles in our ovaries, it plays a role in our menstrual cycle and fertility.
From supporting our reproductive and metabolic health to being a marker of how well your egg-freezing cycle is going- oestrogen works as an efficient hormonal messenger.
So in this blog post, we’re putting the limelight on this messenger. We’ll delve into what oestrogen does, how it affects your fertility, egg freezing cycle, and what low/high levels of oestrogen can mean for your reproductive health!
Let’s dive in!
What is Oestrogen?
Oestrogen is a steroid hormone produced in the ovaries which is involved in the development of sexual characteristics, regulating the menstrual cycle, thickening the uterine lining and preparing our body for pregnancy.
It’s produced in the ovaries and depends on other hormones such as Luteinizing hormone, Follicle stimulating hormone, etc. for its production and regulation.
In fact, oestrogen isn’t a single hormone. There are different types which take predominance based on our age.
For women of reproductive age, estradiol happens to be the predominant hormone. In fact, there are 2-3 subtypes of oestrogen, which spring up during different phases of our lives.
What are the types of oestrogen?
Now, circling back to what we said about oestrogen being more than one hormone.
There are three main types of oestrogen in the female body:
- Estradiol: This is the dominant and primary type found in women of reproductive age.
- Estriol: Mainly produced during pregnancy, this type of oestrogen helps prepare the body for childbirth.
- Estrone: This is a weaker form of oestrogen, typically more prevalent after menopause
Oestrogen’s role in the menstrual cycle
Oestrogen is on the board of hormones that fluctuate during our menstrual cycle.
In the follicular phase, which is Day 1 until the day of ovulation, oestrogen levels start low, but steadily rise as follicles mature. This is because growing follicles secrete oestrogen. Oestrogen reaches its peak right before ovulation.
During ovulation, there’s an oestrogen peak, which in turn leads to a peak in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, leading to ovulation or the release of a mature egg from the ovary.
After ovulation, we have the luteal phase where oestrogen levels drop, with a small rise about a week later. Since it’s also the time where our eggs keep waiting for sperm to arrive, if pregnancy does not occur, oestrogen levels fall to baseline, triggering menstruation.
What Does Oestrogen Do?
Oestrogen wears many hats- from being involved in the menstrual cycle to affecting our bone health, skin and metabolism. Let's break down its key roles:
Reproductive system
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
- Promotes the growth and maintenance of the uterine lining (endometrium)
- Stimulates the growth of breast tissue
- Maintains vaginal health and lubrication
Bone Health
Oestrogen helps maintain bone density by promoting bone formation and preventing bone loss
Cardiovascular System
Oestrogen supports healthy cholesterol levels and promotes elasticity of blood vessels
Brain function
No, we’re not ovaryacting- oestrogen does influence our mood and cognitive function
Skin and Hair
Promotes collagen production, contributing to skin elasticity and influences hair growth and texture
Metabolism
Oestrogen affects fat distribution in the body and influences insulin sensitivity
What Affects Oestrogen Levels?
Our oestrogen levels tend to fluctuate during different phases of the menstrual cycle. But beyond these, other factors can affect oestrogen levels, such as:
- Age: Oestrogen levels naturally decline as we age. This is because gradually, the number of eggs we have reduces as well, leading to less oestrogen being produced. During menopause, oestrogen levels completely drop off, leading to low oestrogen symptoms.
- Body weight: Fat tissue produces oestrogen, so more fat tissue or body weight can affect oestrogen levels.
- Diet: Certain foods, particularly those containing phytoestrogens, can influence oestrogen levels.
- Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance, including oestrogen.
- Medications: Some medications, including hormonal birth control, can affect oestrogen levels
- Pre Existing conditions: Hormonal issues such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), primary ovarian insufficiency, or congenital issues such as Turner's syndrome affect oestrogen levels
- Environmental factors: Exposure to certain chemicals (like BPA) can mimic oestrogen in the body.
Symptoms of High Oestrogen
While oestrogen is crucial for many bodily functions, too much of it can cause issues. Here are some signs that your oestrogen levels might be on the high side:
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Mood swings or increased irritability
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Weight gain, especially around the hips and waist
- Fibroids in the uterus
How to Reduce Oestrogen levels?
While there's no magic pill to instantly balance your oestrogen levels, there are several lifestyle changes that can help:
- Diet
- Increase fibre intake: Fibre helps remove excess oestrogen from the body.
- Eat cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts contain compounds called dietary indoles that help metabolise oestrogen.
- Limit alcohol: Alcohol can increase oestrogen levels in the body.
- Exercise - Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and balance hormone levels
- Manage Stress - Chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance. Try stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
- Support Liver Health - The liver plays a crucial role in processing hormones. Support it with foods like leafy greens and garlic
- Consider Supplements - Some supplements, like DIM (Diindolylmethane) or calcium-d-glucarate, may support healthy oestrogen metabolism. However, we recommend consulting a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
Symptoms of Low Oestrogen
On the flip side, low oestrogen can also cause a range of symptoms:
- Irregular or absent periods
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mood changes, including depression or irritability
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse
- Recurring urinary tract infections
- Decreased bone density
- Difficulty concentrating
How to Increase Oestrogen Levels?
While oestrogen naturally declines with age, there are some factors such as excessive exercise or autoimmune disorders that can lead to low oestrogen levels in the body.
And if you're concerned about low oestrogen levels, here are some strategies that may help improve them:
Maintain a healthy weight
Both underweight and overweight conditions can affect oestrogen production. Aim for a balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise to maintain overall health.
Try to add phytoestrogen-rich foods
Incorporate foods containing plant-based estrogens, such as soy products, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, garlic, and peaches. While these don't directly increase your body's oestrogen production, they can have mild estrogenic effects.
Get your Vitamin D
Ensure adequate vitamin D intake, either through sunlight exposure, diet, or supplements. Vitamin D plays a role in oestrogen synthesis.
Reduce stress and limit alcohol:
Chronic stress, or excessive alcohol can disrupt hormone balance. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, and reduce or keep your alcohol consumption in moderation
Get enough sleep
Quality sleep is crucial for hormone balance. Aim for 7-9 hours of (beauty) sleep per night.
Consider hormone therapy
In some cases, such as perimenopause or menopause, your doctor might recommend hormone replacement therapy to address significantly low oestrogen levels.
Remember, it’s best to work with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of low oestrogen and develop the right treatment plan for you.
What works best can vary from person to person, and it's important to address any underlying health issues that might be affecting your hormone levels.
Oestrogen and Egg Freezing: What's the Connection?
Now, let's talk about how oestrogen relates to egg freezing. Oestrogen plays a crucial role in the egg freezing process, serving as a key indicator of follicle development and egg maturity.
Oestrogen Levels During Egg Freezing
During an egg freezing cycle, we closely monitor oestrogen levels at various stages:
1. Stimulation Phase
- At the start of the cycle, we administer medications like Menopur and Gonal F, which contain FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone).
- These medications stimulate the growth of multiple follicles, each of which produces oestrogen.
- As the follicles grow, oestrogen levels rise. This is used as an indicator of how well the ovaries are responding to stimulation.
Also read: Egg freezing medication and how they work
2. Pre-Trigger Phase
- Oestrogen levels are typically highest just before the trigger shot
- Each mature follicle produces about 200-300 pg/mL of oestrogen
- Ideally, oestrogen levels are around 1000-3000 pg/mL right before and after the trigger.
It's important to note that while high oestrogen levels often correlate with a good response to stimulation, they can also increase the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- If levels above 4000-5000 pg/mL are seen, it may either be an over-response, or conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis or other predispositions could also be the cause. Regardless, your healthcare provider will be on the lookout for any symptoms.
Additionally, as a precaution, your doctor might:
- Switch from an HCG trigger to a Lupron trigger if oestrogen levels are very high
- Prescribe medications like Cabergoline or Femara as a precaution
3. Post-Retrieval
- After the eggs are retrieved, oestrogen levels quickly drop
Navigating fertility and egg freezing with Amilis
Our hormonal health is closely tied to our fertility.
And it’s time we amplify conversations around it.
Whether you're considering egg freezing or simply want to understand your body better, knowing your hormonal health can empower you to make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
We at Amilis are working to bridge this fertility gap in the UK with:
- Resources on fertility and egg freezing
- Free 1-1 calls with Amilis experts to discuss your fertility and reproductive health
- Affordable fertility tests
- Free consultations with pre vetted fertility clinics in the UK
So if you’re looking to get your hormones or fertility tested, Amilis can help you connect with the best fertility clinics in London, with free consultations with doctors and Amilis experts.
Not quite there yet? You can also take a small quiz to get started.
We’re here with you, every step of the way ♥️
Frequently asked questions
Can I get pregnant with high oestrogen levels?
While high oestrogen levels don't necessarily prevent pregnancy, they can make it more challenging. High oestrogen can lead to issues like irregular ovulation or a thinner uterine lining, which can affect implantation. If you're concerned about your oestrogen levels, it's always best to consult a fertility specialist to discuss it further.
Does egg freezing increase oestrogen?
Yes, the medications used in egg freezing temporarily increase oestrogen levels. This is a normal and expected part of the process as these elevated levels return to normal after the egg retrieval procedure.
What should oestrogen be for egg retrieval?
Ideal oestrogen levels for egg retrieval can vary, but generally, levels above 1000 pg/mL are expected before the ovulation trigger. But, it’s also possible that your target can vary based on individual factors and your doctor's protocol.
Does high oestrogen affect egg quality?
High oestrogen itself doesn't necessarily impact egg quality. But, extremely high levels might indicate ovarian hyperstimulation or OHSS, which can potentially affect the maturation process of the eggs.
During your egg freezing cycle, your fertility specialist will carefully monitor your oestrogen levels and ensure preventative measures.
